
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS.! 



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I UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. ^ 



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I 



ON THE PROSPERITY OF CHRISTIAN CHURCHES, AND 
THE REVIVAL OF RELIGION. 



THREE 



SERMONS, 



PREACHED AT 



STEPNEY MEETING, 



BY 

JOSEPH FLETCHER, A.M. 



LONDON : 

FREDERICK WESTLEY AND A. H. DAVIS, 

10, STATIONERS '-HALL-COURT, AND AVE-MARIA LANE ; 
SOLD BY HARDY AND SON, SHADWELL ; 
AND J. DEWAR, MILE-END. 



MDCCCXXIX. 



G. Duckworth Printer, 76, Fleet-street. 



TO 

THE CHURCH AND CONGREGATION 

ASSEMBLING IN 

STEPNEY MEETING, 

THE 

FOLLOWING SERMONS, 
DELIVERED BEFORE THEM, 
AND, AT THEIR REQUEST, PUBLISHED, 
ARE AFFECTIONATELY PRESENTED 

BY THEIR FRIEND AND PASTOR, 

JOSEPH FLETCHER. 



PREFACE. 



The topics to which the following discourses 
refer, are at all times of infinite importance; 
but from the recent intelligence received from 
America, and from what has transpired in 
several parts of our own country, they are 
entitled, at the present crisis, to special atten- 
tion. I am most anxious to impress on the 
minds of all who may read these discourses, 
the conviction, that what is called a " Revival 
of Religion," is not to be considered so much the 
result of a temporary excitement and an extra- 
ordinary influence, as the operation of great and 
acknowledged principles, confessedly of divine 
origin, and efficient only in consequence of super- 
natural agency, but still inseparable from the 
personal and social obligations which devolve on 
all who have received the Gospel. In the history 
of every Christian church, there are occasional 
instances of the power and sovereignty of divine 
a 3 



vi 



PREFACE. 



grace, which, as far as human observation could 
extend, are traceable to no assigned instru- 
mental causes. Such events have sometimes 
been connected with most beneficial results, in 
the experience and character of those who may 
have been previously brought to the knowledge 
of Christ. They have been aroused to greater 
diligence and activity ; meetings for prayer and 
conference have been more regularly attended ; 
religion has been felt to be more than ever im- 
portant^ the intercourse of social life has been 
more prominently marked by its spirit and in- 
fluence; the power of worldly-mindedness has 
been counteracted ; the energy of the Christian 
ministry has risen to a corresponding elevation ; 
and all the means of grace have been attended to 
and employed with an earnestness and a fervour 
unknown before. The effects on the surrounding 
population, as well as on the church, have been 
risible. The careless and obdurate have been 
awakened and impressed ; and many have been 
" added to the Lord !" These have been periods 
of revival. Perhaps, in some cases, from the pecu- 
liar state of the Christian society, its comparative 
simplicity, its limited intercourse with the world, 



PREFACE. Vll 

and the inartificial manners of the people, there 
may have been the most undisguised exhibition of 
all the feelings of such as have been brought under 
religious impressions. Their sorrows and joys — 
their transitions of emotion, and variations of 
excitement — may have been much more easily or 
ingenuously manifested, than in states of society 
in which there is more of self-government and 
restraint. Hence it is not at all surprising, that, 
in some circumstances, there should have been 
displays of feeling connected with revivals in reli- 
gion, which, though not perhaps unnatural, nor in 
one point of view irrational, are still so different 
from what we have been accustomed to think 
proper and decorous, as to subject the parties to the 
reproach of fanaticism. But these indications of 
excitement, whether defensible or indefensible, 
are never to be confounded with the essential 
characteristics of a Revival. However accounted 
for, or with whatever modification capable of 
being vindicated, they are only accidental circum- 
stances. That, after all, is alone entitled to be 
considered the revival of religion, which can 
be justly traced to the legitimate influence of 
Christian principles. 



viii 



PREFACE. 



I should, therefore, contend that there is 
nothing in the most desirable state of a church, 
when distinguished by the energy and devotion 
of a revival, which ought not to be its. habitual 
state. It is only such a state of things as ought 
to result from an adequate impression of the 
majesty of truth and the realities of eternity ; 
and if it do not exist, it is a lamentable proof 
that the " faith, hope, and charity," which con- 
stitute the great elements of Christian character, 
have not the activity which should at all times 
prove their existence and their power. For what 
has taken place, in the most prosperous churches 
of America, or our own country, which is more 
than might be expected to arise from the 64 work 
of faith — the labour of love, and the patience of 
hope ? v> Nothing has transpired, which could be 
regarded as the unequivocal effect of divine in- 
fluence, which was not, antecedently to such a 
revival, matter of solemn obligation ; and divine 
influence has consisted only in disposi?ig men to 
regard such obligation. 

On this ground alone, can the state of tilings, 
usually called a Revival, be considered as a 
legitimate subject for exhortation and appeal ; 



PREFACE. 



ix 



and though occasional instances of deviation 
from the strict line of order and regularity 
may, in some circumstances, and under some 
kinds of administration be expected, yet I 
feel convinced that the attention so generally 
directed to this subject, is one of the most 
auspicious indications of our times. If it be true 
in the great concerns of religion, as Dr. Paley 
has well remarked, that "the wildest en- 
thusiasm is more rational than indifference," 
surely it becomes those professing to be the advo- 
cates and disciples of evangelical Christianity 
to ask — Do we really, and in earnest, act as 
believers ? The entire force of all the argu- 
ment, and of whatever is demanded, as to hu- 
miliation on the one hand, and devotedness on 
the other — all the energy of effort — and all the 
fervour of prayer, — is comprehended in that 
single question ! 

I rejoice that, by ministers of various denomi- 
nations, this great question is brought before the 
attention of the Christian world. One of the 
most fatal errors that ever corrupted the churches 
will, it is to be hoped, be more than ever coun- 
teracted by the spirit that is now excited : I 



X PREFACE. 

refer to that perversion of the Gospel, which, 
under the pretext of magnifying the sovereignty 
of Divine grace and honouring the Holy Spirit, 
tends to supersede all sense of obligation, and 
to annihilate responsibility. There is reason to 
fear that the insidious operation of this principle 
is the secret cause of much unfaithfulness and 
negligence. A scriptural recognition of the 
necessity of divine influence, will always be 
found combined with a no less decisive recog- 
nition of individual obligation ; and the sinner 
will be told, with all fidelity and affection, — 
whether addressed from the pulpit, or reasoned 
with in private, — that it is his immediate duty, 
as well as his highest interest, to f flee from the 
wrath to come !? The force of this considera- 
tion will not be abated or destroyed, by leading 
him to think that some indefinite period may 
arrive, when grace may visit him ; thus stifling 
conviction, and lulling into fatal repose, under 
the notion of some future illapse, all anxiety 
about that which is at this very moment demand- 
ing and deserving his attention. We shall act, 
in such circumstances, in relation to the souls of 
men, as we would act in relation to their secular 



PREFACE. XI 

interests. We shall not confound disinclination 
with inability ; we shall not unwarrantably place 
ourselves in the position of Deity, and judge of 
our duty, or the duty of others, by applying to 
the subject the doctrine of God's eternal pur- 
poses. The plain and intelligible command, to 
" repent, and believe the GospeF- — and to enforce 
which, so many urgent motives are supplied in 
the Christian system, will alone regulate our 
reasonings and exhortations ; while, in humble 
dependence on His grace, who has instituted 
these wise and well adapted means, we shall 
<£ watch for souls as those who must give an 
account !" Let each minister, and each indi- 
vidual Christian, reflect on his own solemn 
obligations, and aim at faithfully discharging 
them ; and " times of refreshing will come from 
the presence of the Lord V 

I cannot close these prefatory remarks, with- 
out stating that I have endeavoured to preserve, in 
the following discourses, as much as possible, the 
form of appeal, and tone of feeling in which they 
were delivered. This is referred to, in order to 
account for a few passages which might otherwise 
be subject to the charge of reiteration. May that 



xii 



PREFACE. 



Divine blessing accompany their perusal, which 
was not, I trust, withheld, when they were ad- 
dressed to the beloved people of my charge ! 

J. F. 

Mile- End, February 26, 1829. 

P. S.— l cannot conclude, without recommending several 
recent publications on the general subject. The Discourses on 
the "Connexion of Spiritual Influence with the Use of Divinely 
appointed Means," in the " Five Discourses" of the Rev. 
William Orme, are entitled to special attention. The Rev. 
J.H. Hinton has published an "able and useful Sermon, on "the 
Means of a Religious Revival ;" and powerfully exposes some 
prevailing misconceptions. The " Pastoral Letter " of the 
Rev. «A A. James is characterised by all that ardour and 
energy which distinguish the productions of my esteemed 
friend. There have appeared some admirable and highly useful 
Letters and Essays, in the Congregational, Evangelical, and 
Baptist Magazines ; and the Ministers of the Congregational 
Board have just published a " Letter to the Churches," which 
it is hoped will have an extensive and beneficial circulation. 
My excellent friend and neighbour, the Rev. H. F. Rurder, is 
preparing Discourses on the same subject ; to which will be 
annexed, important documents illustrative of the recent revivals 
in America, and supplied from his own correspondence with 
that country. May the Divine blessing accompany these various 
yet happily united efforts, that " the word of the Lord may 
have free course, and be glorified !" 



SERMON I. 
Preached January 4, 1829- 



PSALM cxxii. 6—9. 

" PRAY FOR THE PEACE OF JERUSALEM : THEY SHALL PROSPER 
THAL LOVE THEE. PEACE BE WITHIN THY WALLS, AND 
PROSPERITY WITHIN THY PALACES. FOR MY BRETHREN 
AND COMPANIONS' SAKES, I WILL NOW SAY, PEACE BE 
WITHIN THEE. BECAUSE OF THE HOUSE OF THE LORD OUR 
GOD I WILL SEEK THY GOOD." 



It is usual at a season like the present, for 
persons to meet each other with good wishes 
and mutual congratulations. There is nothing 
in religion that forbids the expression of kind 
and generous feeling, or condemns the enjoyment 
of social intercourse. But I appear before you 
this morning, to give a sacred direction to your 
thoughts, to hallow the custom of the time, and 
to divert it from its ordinary application, to 
those " things which belong to your everlasting 
peace."" If the dictates of friendship and good 
will lead to kind wishes and salutations respect- 
ing the health of the body and the interests of 
time; surely the dictates of a higher and a holier 
friendship require that we should cherish a 

B 



2 



more extended solicitude, manifest a deeper 
and a more needful sympathy, and express our 
anxieties and desires, in relation to the spiritual 
happiness and the everlasting well-being of all 
around us. It is, then, brethren, in the spirit of 
this enlarged benevolence, that I would exhort 
you to appropriate the prayer, and utter the salu- 
tation, contained in the words of the text ; and 
while you meet each other with holy sympathy, 
address to Him, who is the giver of peace, and the 
source of all prosperity, the fervent supplication 
— " Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity 
within thy palaces. For my brethren and com- 
panions'' sakes, I will now say, Peace be within 
thee. Because of the house of the Lord our 
God I will seek thy good." 

At a time like the present, it is customary 
for those who are engaged in worldly concerns 
to investigate their affairs, and ascertain with 
exactness all their pecuniary relations. To be 
either indolent, or reluctant, or hesitating, in this 
matter, would be thought an unfavourable indi- 
cation — a fearful omen ! 

I invite you this day to a more important 
scrutiny, and an investigation infinitely more 
momentous! It may be the last year of your 
existence on earth ; your interests for time, 
and your prospects for eternity, are, therefore, 



3 



involved in the questions and considerations 
which will be this day brought under your 
notice. Oh ! it matters not what may be well with 
us, if it be not " well with us for ever!" The 
claims of religion, the realities of truth, the 
value of the soul, the authority of the Redeemer, 
and all the motives derived from that " life and 
immortality which are brought to light by the 
Gospel," — unite in demanding our immediate and 
supreme anxiety. 

I have selected the passage before us, as im- 
mediately bearing upon the objects to which I 
have referred — and as presenting for our consi- 
deration, a subject demanding our thoughtful 
solicitude, our faithful inquiry, and our most 
fervent supplications. 

The monarch of Israel was the author of the 
psalm before us ; and the heart of patriotism, 
friendship, and devotion, was poured forth 
in this inspired effusion. David loved his 
country; he loved the house of his God; he 
loved his brethren and companions in the work 
and worship of the sanctuary ; and could say, 
" If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right 
hand forget its cunning; and let my tongue 
cleave to the roof of my mouth, if I prefer not 
Zion above my chief joy C 

The peace for which David prayed > formed 



v 



4 



both the matter of his salutation and the object 
of his prayer. The " peace" and " prosperity" 
included the enjoyment of every temporal and 
spiritual blessing connected with true happiness ; 
and they so mutually involved each other, as to 
be in fact identical. Hence, as is usual in 
Hebrew poetry, the latter part of the verse 
explains the former. For " peace" to be within 
the walls of Zion, is the same as " prosperity" 
within her palaces. Hence, " peace" has an 
extensive signification in the sacred volume; 
and, above all, refers to the provision and 
abundance of heavenly blessings. Peace in the 
church, springing from peace with God, and 
connected with peace of conscience, causing the 
spirit of peace to be diffused through the 
family and to pervade the world, — this, and this 
alone, deserves to be called prosperity. This is 
true and substantial felicity ; and, in propor- 
tion as we enjoy these privileges in that pro- 
portion we shall be prepared and disposed to 
become the instruments of peace, and the means 
of prosperity to others. 

It is my heart's prayer and desire, that such 
peace, my dearly beloved brethren, may be 
yours, " always and by all means ;" yours 
individually, yours collectively — " the peace of 
God which passeth all understanding !" 



5 



I have been ied to select this subject, not 
merely because of its obvious accordance with 
the time passing over us, but because of the 
recent attention which has been directed by 
many of the ministers of Christ in this metro- 
polis, and throughout various parts of our 
country, to the great subject of a revival of 
religion. And in what does the revival of 
religion consist? It consists in prosperity. 
Whatever, therefore, secures prosperity, secures, 
under the divine blessing, a revival of religion. 
And there is a much more close and intimate 
connexion between the prosperity of religion in 
the church, and the revival and extension of 
religion in the world, than many are dis- 
posed to imagine. You are not to consider 
a revival of religion as merely a state of pri- 
vilege to be enjoyed, but you are to connect 
with it the consciousness of personal and social 
obligation. This is a view of the subject of the 
highest moment For, if we are led to sup- 
pose that that state of things in the church, 
which is connected with the revival of religion 
and the extension of its influence through the 
world, is to be considered solely under the 
aspect of privilege, and as resulting altogether, 
and exclusively, from some inexplicable proce- 
dure of divine sovereignty, irrespective of, and 
b 3 



6 



unconnected with, the use of appropriate means ? 
— we shall be in danger of becoming supine and 
indifferent ; we shall feel that there is nothing 
involving in it responsibility, and connected with 
obligation, effort, and diligence. On the other 
hand, if we view it not only as a manifestation 
of mercy, arising from the constitution and pro- 
visions of the covenant of grace, but as connected 
with the activity of Christian zeal, the spirit of 
fervent prayer, and the diligent efforts and self- 
denying exertions of the disciples of Christ, we 
shall be constrained, under these impressions, to 
arise and to shake ourselves from the dust of 
earthly mindedness, and, in the fervour of devout 
aspiration, and according to the condescending 
invitation of the Most High, we shall give him no 
rest, until he " pour out the blessing that there 
shall be no room to contain The Son of God — - 
the " faithful and true witness" — has said, " Ask, 
arid it shall be given you ; seek, and ye shall 
find ; knock, arid it shall be opened unto you. 
For every one that asketh, receiveth ; and he 
that seeketh, jindeth ; and to him that knocketh 
it shall be opened. Or what man is there of 
you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him 
a stone ? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him 
a serpent ? If ye then, being evil, know how 
to give good gifts unto your children, how 



7 



much more shall your Father which is in 
heaven give good things to them that ask him? 
I would, then, press it upon your consideration, 
in the commencement of this momentous sub- 
ject, that, in a certain point of view, you are 
responsible for the success of the Gospel, and 
the revival of godliness, as far as the diligent, 
devout, and continued use of divinely appointed 
means is connected with religious prosperity. 
" Pray for the peace of Jerusalem : they shall 
prosper that love thee!" 

In the present and subsequent discourses, I 
propose to consider, 

I. The indications of spiritual prospe- 
rity in a Christian Church. 

II. The influence of such prosperity 
in promoting the conversion of sinners to 
God. 

III. The scriptural means of effecting 
such a revival of religion. 

Let us, brethren, unite in the fervent prayer 
of the Psalmist, and exclaim, O Lord, save, 
we beseech thee ; O Lord, we beseech thee, send 
now prosperity ! 

I. The FIRST inquiry respects THE INDICA- 
TIONS OF SPIRITUAL PROSPERITY IN A CHRIS- 
TIAN Church. 

What is a church of Christ ? I cannot give 



8 



you a better answer than in the well known 
definition which the Articles of the National 
Church have presented to us. 

church of Christ is a congregation of 
faithful men? This, and nothing else, is a 
church of Christ. A church of Christ is not a 
political confederacy — it is not a secular asso- 
ciation ; — it is "a congregation of faithful men" — 
a society of believing men ; for, to be faithful, 
is to be a believer. If there be, therefore, a 
congregation of faithful men, there must be 
some truth believed, and there must be some 
evidence of the belief of that truth. If faithful 
men constitute, according to this definition, 
a church of Christ, — if they form the materials 
of a church of Christ, — then there must be some 
criterion or test by which to ascertain whether 
or not those persons composing a church of 
Christ are faithful men. 

The truth must be believed, and there must 
be the credible evidence of the belief of the 
truth. The evidence of the belief of the truth 
must be found in the professed principles, 
experience, and character, of those who consti- 
tute this congregation of faithful men. From 
the nature of things, therefore, the association 
must be voluntary. It cannot exist by virtue 
of any merely human authority or enactment ; 



9 



it must be a society or assembly of faithful men, 
voluntarily constituted, and receiving, from time 
to time, such voluntary accessions to its numbers 
as shall tend to accomplish the designs and 
objects of its primary formation. And I know 
not that we ought to apply different methods of 
judging as to fitness or qualification for member- 
ship with the church of Christ, from what we 
should apply to societies formed for secular 
purposes, whether literary or scientific, benevo- 
lent or political. Previous to the reception of 
members into such associations, we endeavour to 
ascertain whether their character, their principles, 
their attainments, or habits, are such as to con- 
stitute an intellectual or moral qualification for 
uniting with such voluntary associations. Simi- 
lar considerations ought to regulate the principles 
which lie at the basis of fellowship with a church 
of Christ, and ample instruction is furnished in 
the New Testament for our guidance and deci- 
sion on this subject. 

These observations will, in some measure, pre- 
pare us for recognising the great principle, that 
personal religion is essential to our union with 
the church of Christ. 

It matters not what may be our professions, 
or what may be our relationship to the church of 
Christ, if personal religion do not exist. The 



10 



credible profession of it is the only scriptural 
ground on which a church of Christ can receive 
us to its fellowship; and the consciousness of 
possessing it is the only scriptural ground on 
which we can offer ourselves for communion with 
the church. We may receive others, and others 
may receive us, on different grounds, or with 
very inadequate evidence of personal godliness ; 
but still the principle remains unaltered. Per- 
sonal religion is the great qualification for rela- 
tionship to the church of Christ ; because it is 
only in proportion as we possess it, that we are 
capable of discharging the duties arising out of 
that relationship, and of enjoying the privileges 
connected with it. And unless there be duties 
to discharge and privileges to enjoy, of what use 
is church fellowship ? Of what use is communion 
with the church? For what purpose does a 
church itself exist ? 

You see, then, brethren, how the great and 
momentous question of vital godliness lies at 
the very foundation of all our inquiries. What- 
ever affects personal godliness, affects the pros- 
perity of a church ; whatever leads to a declen- 
sion in personal godliness, leads to a declen- 
sion in the church of Christ. This is the imme- 
diate spring of all the energy and moral effective- 
ness of a church, and therefore essential to the 



L 



11 



revival of religion and the prosperity of the 
cause of God amongst us. Hence, in stating 
the indications of religious prosperity, I remark, 

1. That a church of Christ enjoys prosperity ; 
when the principles and habits of personal 
religion are stedfastly maintained. 

This is the first and most decisive indication. 
You know, my friends, what was the state of 
mind, under the influence of which you proposed 
yourselves as candidates for Christian fellowship. 
You remember in what light you then regarded 
the great concerns of godliness — the just import- 
ance you attached to it — and the estimation in 
which it was held by those with whom you 
conversed in reference to your communion with 
the church. How interesting and attractive 
every thing then appeared, that was connected 
with " peace of conscience" and the enjoyment 
of a life of godliness. Then the hope of heaven, 
and your prospects for eternity, were felt to be 
of unutterable moment. Then, with the most 
lively apprehensions and realizing impressions, 
you were led to ask, " What shall I do to be 
saved?" And, oh! how delightful the first con- 
sciousness of "joy and peace in believing," when 
you were led to the cross of Christ, and made 
the surrender of yourself to the Redeemer I 
How hallowed the seasons of your retirement ! 



12 



how attentive to the duties of, private devotion ! 
How necessary to your comfort, your progress, 
and your daily communion with God, were 
the habits of self-examination, meditation, and 
prayer! With what avidity and pleasure did 
you search the Scriptures, for the promotion of 
spiritual enjoyment and devout instruction ! The 
Sabbath and the Sanctuary were then, in the 
highest sense, consecrated to God; and, with 
the Psalmist, you could individually exclaim, 
" I was glad, when they said unto me, let us 
go up unto the house of God!" You could 
make his appeal your own, and say, " Lord, 
I have loved the habitation of thine house, 
and the place where thine honour dwelleth." 
You recollect how afraid you then were of sin 
— how tender were the sensibilities of conscience 
— how alive to the moral dangers that sur- 
rounded you — how susceptible of holy impres- 
sions — how anxious to guard against the 
encroachments of the world, and the temptation 
of Satan ! How lively were your resolutions, 
and vigorous your efforts, in the Christian life 
and the Christian warfare! 

Since that period you may, perhaps, have 
acquired more knowledge, and more stabi- 
lity of character, more matured conviction, 
less dependence upon excitements and feelings, 



13 



and a more settled confidence as to your future 
prospects. Emotions may have ripened into 
habits of affection, and affections have acquired 
the strength of principles. If this be the case, 
yours will still be the most grateful remembrance 
of that period, which is emphatically called, 
in the language of our Lord to a primitive 
church, 44 your first love" — the period of your 
first dedication to Him ! The remembrance of 
such a season is hallowed to every spiritual and 
holy mind ; and often may we appropriate to 
ourselves the language of the Apostle on another 
subject, and inquire, " Where is the blessedness 
we spake off" 

" What happy hours we then enjoyed ; 
How sweet their memory still !" 

My brethren, have we not reason to fear that 
there is a frequent tendency to declension in 
reference to the power and life of religion ? And 
if we are to look for a revival of religious pros- 
perity amongst us, here we must commence our 
inquiries. It generally happens, that apostacy 
begins in the closet — the scenes of retirement ; 
it commences in the declining power of religion in 
the heart. A man may contrive to keep up 
appearances in his family, when he has com- 
paratively deserted that inner sanctuary where 



14 



communion with God is most powerfully main- 
tained ; and he may, alas ! preserve the 
external indications of piety, by attending the 
house of God, when both the duties of the 
closet and the family have been long neglected. 
Thus, by degrees, the destructive process of 
<£ departing from the living God," goes on in 
this retrograde movement — this " perpetual 
backsliding," — till conscience is asleep — a spiri- 
tual lethargy is superinduced — and at length the 
habits of the life betray the fatal secret, to the 
mourning church and the scoffing world. Long 
before it had been disclosed to the eye of the Om- 
niscient Redeemer ! Oh, listen ! ye wanderers 
from God, to the admonition which the Spirit 
addresses to the churches. u Remember how 
thou hast received and heard, and holdfast, and 
repent. If, therefore, thou shalt not watch, I 
will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt 
not know what hour I will come upon thee? 
Such is the language of the Saviour to a 
declining church ; while, to another church, 
exhibiting different indications, it is said, " Thy 
last works are more than thy first /" 

What an honourable testimony to the energy 
and constancy of living faith f When personal 
religion is promoted, it will be evinced by our 
attention to the duties of retirement, our regular 



15 



and devout study of the Scriptures, and our 
habitual regard to the exercises of meditation 
and prayer. And remember, my brethren, that 
the amount of piety in a church depends upon 
the separate portions of individual religion. It 
is only in proportion as personal piety is pro- 
moted, that social devotion can prosper. We 
have no other test for judging in this respect of 
the aggregate of religion in a church, than by 
judging of the separate amounts of individual 
religion. The degree of wealth in a society 
depends upon the collective wealth of its 
members ; the amount of literary or scientific 
attainment in a society upon the knowledge 
and talent of those composing the association : 
and on the same principles must we judge of 
the true prosperity of a Christian society. It is 
not, therefore, the circumstance of meeting toge- 
ther in large associations and crowded sanctua- 
ries, however exhilarating and delightful when 
combined with other evidences, that will prove 
that religion is prospering amongst us. Acci- 
dental causes, momentary excitements, the love of 
novelty, the force of example, the tyranny of 
fashion, the authority of custom, and a thousand 
other principles, — may lead to frequent or 
constant attendance in a Christian assembly, 
in which, all the while, there may be no 



16 



spirituality, and no practical self-denying devoted- 
ness to the service of the Redeemer. Let per- 
sonal religion, consisting in the " work of faith, 
the labour of love, and the patience of hope" 
be maintained ; let the duties of the closet, and 
the exercises of private devotion, be faithfully 
discharged ; let the energy and vitality of god- 
liness be preserved by daily communion with 
God, and the character be formed under the 
influence of these principles, leading the mind 
to the fulness and grace of the Redeemer, in 
the simplicity of dependance for every spiri- 
tual and heavenly blessing ; — let the result 
of these hallowed feelings be manifest in pro- 
gressive conformity to the image of Christ, in 
humility, benevolence, and devotion — and, in 
proportion to the degree of such prosperity 
in the habits of individual piety, will be the 
degree of true prosperity in the church. What- 
ever, therefore, affects the growth or the decline 
of such habits of personal godliness, affects 
the interests of social religion, and retards or 
advances the great cause of truth and holiness 
throughout the world. 

It is an indication of prosperity in a Chris- 
tian church, when the duties of domestic piety 
are faithfully discharged. 
That was a high commendation pronounced 



17 



on Abraham, " the friend of God," — " / know 
my servant Abraham, that he will command his 
children and his household after him, and they 
shall keep the way of the Lord" His authority 
was supported by his example, and his example 
presented before his family a living consecration 
to the service of God. How noble and deter- 
mined was the resolution of Joshua's — " Choose 
ye this day whom ye will serve; whether the 
Gods which your fathers served, that were on 
the other side of the flood, or the Gods of the 
Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for 
me and my house, we will serve the LordF 

How interesting in this respect, the conduct 
of David, the monarch of Israel, who, amidst 
all the cares and anxieties of public life, and all 
the dangerous fascinations of a regal court, 
" returned to bless his household," and became 
the priest in the domestic sanctuary ! If reli- 
gious prosperity be maintained in private inter- 
course with God, it will be manifest in the 
intercourse and devotion of the family. It is 
cause of lamentation, my brethren, that there 
are so many nominal disciples of Christ, who 
forget the obligations of domestic religion ; 
have no altar to God in their houses ; and can 
suffer day after day, and week after week, to pass 
over, without gathering together the members 
c 3 



IS 



of the family to worship God ! There is no 
reading of the Scriptures, no united thanks- 
giving and supplication at the domestic altar, 
and no " voice of devout rejoicing in their 
tabernacle !" Oh ! can such professors be called 
the disciples of Christ? Are there no bless- 
ings to supplicate, no mercies to implore, no 
deliverances to acknowledge, no sins to confess, 
in the social circle ? Are the spiritual neces- 
sities and interests of children and servants 
beneath your notice ? If you call } r ourselves the 
professors of the religion of Jesus, how can it 
be reconciled with that profession, that there 
should be the systematic and habitual neglect of 
duties so obviously right and proper as these ? 
The idolaters of ancient times, and even the 
pagans of modern times, will rise up in judg- 
ment against you ! The Greeks and the Ro- 
mans had their Penates— their household divi- 
nities, — as well as their tutelary and national 
divinities. There was the God that was wor- 
shipped in the family, as well as the God that 
was worshipped in the place of public convoca- 
tion. And what is the language of the Most 
High on this subject ? — " / will pour out my 
fury on the heathen, and my indignation on the 
families that call not on my name /" 

How important is domestic religion, in 



19 



reference to the impressions made on the young ? 
on servants, and on all connected with the 
family circle! When the son leaves the house 
of his father, though he may have been long 
heedless, and unmindful of the importance of 
divine truth, how desirable is it, that, when 
withdrawn from the sphere of social endear- » 
ment, his first and deepest recollections should 
be connected with the services of devotion, 
the exercises of family prayer, the instruction 
poured into his mind by maternal affection, 
and combined with the expressions of devout 
parental solicitude ! How beneficial have been 
the remembrances of such scenes, in the sub- 
sequent stages of life, and what important 
results have they, by God's blessing, secured ! 
Innumerable are the instances of those, who 
have remembered, to their everlasting welfare, 
the impressions and convictions of early days. 
Oh ! a family without prayer, is a family with- 
out God — a family dishonouring God — a family 
exhibiting practical atheism ! And to appear in 
the sanctuary, amidst the public worshippers 
of God, from Sabbath to Sabbath, from year to 
year, while there is no domestic devotion, no 
acknowledgment of the Most High in the social 
and private circle, — is an awful, a monstrous, 
contradiction ! And let no one, desirous of 



20 

discharging the duties of family religion, plead 
his inability to conduct its exercises. There is 
abundant provision of help, in forms of domestic 
devotion, to assist those who may not possess an 
adequate measure of confidence and self-posses- 
sion. Thus there can be no excuse or palliation 
for the neglect of its sacred obligations. The 
want of time is often pleaded ; but will this be 
urged by those who have learned how to redeem 
the time, and feel the value and claims of eter- 
nity? My friends, the poorest and the busiest, 
squander away a far greater portion of time, 
in useless conversation, in vacant listlessness, 
in unprofitable engagements, than would be 
requisite for the great business of domestic 
religion, if they were rightly disposed to 
improve it for the purpose. You find time for 
the wants of the perishing body ; shall tfie impe- 
rishable and immortal soul be forgotten? You 
find time to attend to the claims of the sick and 
afflicted; shall there be no attention to the 
health and safety of the soul ? " What shall it 
profit you, if you gain the whole world, and 
lose your soul ?" 

Instruction is an important and essential part 
of family religion. For this purpose, the Scrip- 
tures, and all suitable help in the interpretation 
of the sacred word, should be devoutly and 



21 



regularly employed. The Sabbath, especially, 
should be appropriated to this department of 
duty. The intervals of public worship ought to 
be improved for this purpose ; and if only two 
public services be attended to, either the after- 
noon or the evening should be devoted to 
domestic instruction. How much of public 
instruction is rendered comparatively ineffectual, 
for want of private explanation. Even when 
three services are attended to on the Sabbath, if 
a wise distribution of time were secured, oppor- 
tunity might be found, in addition to ordinary 
family worship, for catechising the children, and 
instructing servants in divine things. I would 
urge upon the heads of families, the necessity of 
teaching their children to commit to memory 
portions of the word of God; and especially 
that comprehensive formulary of Christian truth 
which is contained in the Catechism composed 
by the Assembly of Divines at Westminster. In 
proportion as this is understood, will a good 
foundation be laid for the future superstructure 
of solid and enlightened piety.* 

* The Rev. William Greenhill, the first pastor of the Church 
at Stepney, when it was formed in the year 1644, was one of 
the members of this venerable Assembly. While the " Shorter 
Catechism " cannot be too highly appreciated, I would recom- 
mend Watts's Catechism, and especially Matthew Henry's 
Catechism, as a suitable introduction for the younger branches 
of families. 



22 



Further : If domestic piety be attended to, 
there will be an anxious concern to avoid every 
thing in the conversation and arrangements of the 
family, which may counteract the impressions 
produced in the sanctuary. Parents should, in 
this respect, co-operate with ministers. 

If the heads of families, in the presence of 
their children and servants, can make an instant 
transition on the Sabbath, from all they have 
heard in the house of God, to trifling conversa- 
tion on ordinary topics, or the discussion of 
secular matters, how can you expect that the 
word of God should sink deeply into the heart? 
We ought, as heads of families, to be concerned, 
by conversation, inquiry, and prayer, to render 
fruitful the good seed of the word that may have 
been sown, that it may not be devoured by the 
fowls of the air, or scattered abroad by the first 
blast of temptation ! We ought to secure a proper 
direction to the conferences, and discussions, 
and pursuits of the Sabbath ; that it may be 
apparent to all the inmates of the social circle, 
that spiritual religion, and the advancement of 
piety, are the great purposes to which the 
day is consecrated. The domestic arrangements 
of families ought not to be allowed to interfere 
with these exercises, and all the Sabbath should 
be sanctified. 

In reference to the ordinary and daily duty of 



23 



family worship, I feel compelled to remark, that 
the modern hours of evening visiting are greatly 
injurious to order and regularity ; and, it is to 
be feared, too often lead to a forgetfulness or 
violation of its claims. And is it not matter of 
regret, that social parties, or the meeting of 
families, professedly Christian, should ever take 
place, and not be " sanctified by the word of God 
and by prayer ?" If any thing incompatible with 
prayer be attended to, is it consistent with reli- 
gion ? — is it not inconsistent with it ? Religion 
forbids nothing but what would be injurious to us ; 
her voice of stern prohibition condemns nothing 
but what is sinful. Oh ! then, it should be our 
first, our constant object, to promote, and extend, 
and perpetuate its holy influence ; and religion 
should be regarded, not as the mere business of 
the Sabbath, but the business of the week, the 
business of every day — " the one thing" to which 
all the ordinary intercourse of life should be made 
subservient. 

And would such a supreme attention to religion 
be inimical to the lawful pursuits and really inno- 
cent enjoyments of life ? Would its influence be 
at all opposed to temporal happiness ? No, my 
brethren, it would shed a kindly influence on all 
our intercourse and associations. It would inter- 
dict no pleasure which conscience could seriously 



24 



approve ; it would provide for real and substantial 
felicity ; and present the aspect of benignity and 
approval on every thing conducive to our true 
welfare. " Her ways are pleasantness, and all 
her paths are peace." When family godliness 
is promoted, religion will prosper in the church. 
It was the opinion of the eminent Baxter, that 
if parents and heads of families discharged their 
duty as Christians, in relation to their children 
and their servants, there would be more con- 
verted to God in the family, than in the sanc- 
tuary. This we know assuredly, — that the pro- 
motion of domestic religion is conducive to the 
success of all other means of instruction and 
edification. Never can we expect an eminent or 
extended prevalence of piety, if there be not the 
diligent, devout observance of religious institu- 
tions in the families of professing Christians. 
In these more restricted circles, the true cha- 
racter of individuals is developed ; here, with- 
out the disguise assumed for public appearances, 
the temper and the dispositions of men are dis- 
played ; here a foundation is laid for the future 
habits of those who are to preside in the domestic 
circle, when the heads of their parents are laid in 
the silent tomb ; here, by the salutary restraints 
of discipline, the mild exercise of authority, the 
gentle persuasions of love, and the powerful 



25 



attraction of example, the children are " brought 
up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord ; 
and the servants are led to bow to the sceptre of 
our " Master in heaven !" Oh ! the unuttera- 
ble importance of regarding the family as a 
nursery for the church, and the scene of early 
preparation for the joys of immortality ! 

3. It is an indication of prosperity in a 
church, when the Word of Christ is devoutly 
regarded, and all his institutions are duly 
observed. 

The Bible is our sacred charter, and our 
only guide on every subject connected with per- 
sonal, domestic, and relative obligation. A 
church of Christ is not to inquire, as the reason 
of its observance in relation to any institution, 
what is the opinion of man, or what is the dic- 
tate of human authority ; but what saith the 
Word of God — " the law and the testimony ?" 
And if, on any subject connected with religion, 
we cannot find explicit directions or recorded 
precedents, we must be regulated by the spirit 
of general principles, and endeavour to ascertain 
with fidelity and impartiality, " the mind of 
Christ. 1 ' The " Word of Christ" must be con- 
sulted as the divinely appointed oracle — the 
immediate source of instruction ; and we must 
come to it in the spirit of humble docility and 



26 



fervent supplication, not to wrest it according to 
our preconceptions and prejudices, but " meekly 
to receive" its directions, and obey its injunctions. 
Such a practical regard to the Scriptures is an 
encouraging sign of prosperity, and essentially 
necessary to its continuance. When, therefore, 
the Wori of God is studied ; when there is a 
sincere desire to understand it ; when the heads 
of families and private individuals are anxious 
to become familiarised with it ; when these 
habits of study and consultation are combined 
with a practical deference to it, and principles 
are derived from it, to guide all our inquiries 
and form all our sentiments ; when, as the 
result of these views and feelings, there is the 
evident progression of a church in knowledge, 
stability, and devotion ; — then genuine prosperity 
may be anticipated, and the indications of spiri- 
tual health be expected to appear in the zeal 
and holiness of the disciples of Christ. Let the 
Word of Christ dwell richly in the mind, and 
there will be " wisdom and spiritual under- 
standing and we shall be " established in the 
truth, abounding therein with thanksgiving. 1 ' 

" Whatsoever is not of faith is sin. r> Our 
religious observances are acceptable in the sight 
of God only when they spring from enlightened 
conviction, and the principle of believing 



27 



submission to divine authority. Hence the great 
importance of a devout and diligent study of 
the Scriptures. In proportion as these prin- 
ciples are cherished, our observance of the sab- 
bath, and our attendance on the sanctuary, 
will not be the result of custom, convenience, 
or educational habits ; but the authority of 
God will be recognised, and obedience will be 
rendered to him, in our public services. " We 
shall do it heartily, as unto the Lord, and not 
unto men.' 1 If this be the case, oh ! what im- 
portance will there be attached to all the insti- 
tutions of religion ! We shall regard them 
under the conviction of their divine appoint- 
ment, and we shall be concerned to obtain 
correct notions of Christian fellowship. We 
shall not consult our feelings and wishes, but 
our duty. We shall not live from week to 
week, from month to month, neglecting the 
command of the Lord, and violating, or dis- 
regarding, his last injunction. Can we forget 
the privilege of uniting ourselves to the people 
of God, and binding ourselves to them in " a 
covenant never to be broken ?" Under these 
impressions the Sanctuary will be hallowed ; 
social meetings for prayer will be attended ; 
and the highest importance will be attached to 
the prosperity of religion, and the extension 



28 



of its influence. If you are concerned thus 
to maintain the institutions of religion, there 
will be a spirit of kindness manifested to 
inquirers after truth. It is physically impos- 
sible for the Pastor of any large church or 
congregation to have that intimate personal 
acquaintance with individuals which he might 
desire. The numerous engagements of pastoral 
duty, the claims of public institutions, and in- 
numerable services devolving upon the ministers 
of religion, often painfully prevent their direct 
and frequent intercourse with their people, to the 
extent which they may wish to secure. Without 
however any desire to lessen their obligation, 
or to apologise for negligence and inattention, I 
conceive that each individual member of Chris- 
tian churches should be concerned to ask, 
u What can I do towards promoting the wel- 
fare of others, and thus extend and secure 
the prosperity of religion ?" Young persons who 
are found regular in their attendance upon 
public worship, ought to be kindly and promptly 
noticed. Strangers coming from the country to 
reside in the metropolis, where they are exposed 
to so many scenes of danger, should be 
attended to and watched over. The elder mem- 
bers of a church should not be satisfied with 
attending to their own immediate domestic 



29 



concerns ; — they should endeavour to find out 
opportunities for doing good ; they should 
look around them, and exercise a watchful spirit 
over those persons placed within the circle of 
their influence and observation. Every thing- 
should be conducted with a view to the honour 
and advancement of all the institutions of 
religion, and the salvation of the souls of men. 
The house of God should be regarded as the 
central point around which all our best affec- 
tions and sympathies meet and harmonise, 
and acquire moral power for activity and 
beneficence. Thus will God be honoured, and 
" the house of his glory will be glorified 
Hence I remark, that, 

4. When mutual love pervades a church, and 
active consecration to the cause of the Redeemer 
is displayed, they are encouraging indications of 
prosperity. 

66 Love is the fulfilling of the law f and its 
operation is essential to the evidence of our 
interest in the blessings of the Gospel. To its 
cultivation, the Gospel presents the most 
powerful inducements ; and He, whose life was 
incarnate charity, has referred to the temper of 
love, as the characteristic proof of discipleship. 
" The fruit of the Spirit is love" — love to God> 
and love to man ; and " he that dwelleth in 

D 3 



30 



love, dwelletli in God." Let this holy principle 
be implanted in the heart ; let it be excited by 
a grateful sense of obligation to the Redeemer ; 
let its influence be cherished and displayed in 
the love of the brethren, " for the truth's sake," 
and the love of mankind, in all the demonstra- 
tions of practical benevolence; let benignity 
and sympathy, forbearance and candour, humi- 
lity and meekness, disinterestedness and perse- 
verance in doing good, be the fruits and mani- 
festations of this divine and heavenly affection ; — 
and prosperity, in the best and noblest sense, 
may be expected to gladden the church and 
bless the world ! This was the spirit that per- 
vaded the heart of the psalmist, when he re- 
corded the prayer in the text — " Peace be within 
thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces. 
For my brethren and companions sokes, I will 
now say, Peace be within thee — because of the 
house of the Lord our God I will seek thy 
goodT 

Is it then surprising that such importance should 
be attached, in the records of the New Testa- 
ment, to this powerful affection, and that all 
other evidences of interest in Christ, and rela- 
tionship to him, should be regarded as neutral- 
ised and nullified by the absence of this prin- 
ciple ? Love is the great central attraction of 



31 



the moral world, binding all holy beings to each 
other in hallowed concord and devout sympa- 
thies, and uniting them to Him, whose name 
and nature is Love ! In proportion as this 
spirit prevails over the selfish passions and 
depraved affections of mankind, true happiness 
will be secured in the family, the church, and the 
world. This was the spirit that so eminently 
distinguished the primitive believers, and led 
them to appropriate their possessions to the 
benefit of the Christian family, and the extension 
of the Gospel throughout the surrounding 
nations. This was the spirit that caused the 
mighty impulse of generous sympathy to per- 
vade the churches of the Gentiles, when the 
" poor saints in Judaea" required their assistance. 
This rendered the liberality of the Macedo- 
nians so worthy of apostolic commendation ; be- 
cause, notwithstanding " their deep poverty,"' 
they were so prompt and effective in their bene- 
volence. Who can wonder at the influence 
and energy of apostolic churches, when 44 the 
grace of God, bestowed upon them," produced 
such mighty results, and led to this noble and 
self-renouncing consecration to the interests of 
truth, and the claims of duty ! And never, my 
brethren, can we expect the church to be " the 
joy of the whole earth," and to shine forth as 



32 



" the perfection of beauty, 1 ' till the same spirit 
prevail among the disciples of the Redeemer, 
and a corresponding elevation in faith and cha- 
rity, distinguish those who are united in the 
fellowship of the Gospel. 

It is one of the delightful indications of the 
energy of these principles, when the members of 
a Christian Church are " ready to every good 
work." Of the children of Israel, it is recorded 
when they were actively and unitedly engaged 
in the rebuilding of the city and the temple of 
Jerusalem, " the people had a mind to work." 
(Neh. iv. 6.) Promptitude gives to every spe- 
cies of beneficence more than half its value; 
and when with " good will we do service," it is 
a delightful manifestation of holy principle. 

Christians, "ye are not your own;" — you 
are, therefore, laid under the most solemn obli- 
gation to consecrate yourselves to Him, who 
hath " bought you with his own most precious 
blood." Time, opportunities of exertion, pro- 
perty, and talents, are all given to you by the 
great Proprietor, for his service and the advance- 
ment of his glory. If we are redeemed, and 
regenerated, and sanctified, oh ! what a debt of 
gratitude and devotion do we owe to our God 
and Saviour ! Eternity will be employed in 
acknowledging our obligations, and we shall 



33 



sincerely enter into the spirit of that sublime 
dedication, when we exclaim, 

" Were the whole realm of nature mine, 
That were a present far too small ; 
Love so amazing, so divine, 
Demands my life, my love, my all \ " 

If, therefore, schemes are proposed, and plans 
are suggested, that may not happen to accord 
with our pre-conceived notions and prejudices, 
we shall rise superior to their influence ; we 
shall aim at acquiring a comprehensive ^view of 
the interests of the kingdom of Christ ; we shall 
not ask, what did our fathers ? but inquire, 
what is God's will concerning us ? — how can his 
cause be most widely extended ? — how can reli- 
gion be best promoted ? — how can the Redeemer's 
name be most effectually spread abroad ? — how 
can souls be saved, and the interests of truth 
and holiness be advanced ? These will be the 
great questions ever before us, and their supreme 
importance will be practically felt. We shall 
be willing to make sacrifices, and to enter 
upon practicable efforts, which under the agency 
of the Divine Spirit, may conduce to those 
great results. This consecration to God will be 
a living, active, and self-denying consecration. 
It will not be confined to professions, and emo- 
tions, and aspirations ; it will not be the mere 



34 



periodical excitation produced by public meet- 
ings and rousing appeals; — but the habitual 
expression of deliberate convictions and settled 
principles : and in proportion to the practical 
operation of such convictions and principles, the 
churches of Christ will prosper, and be " sted- 
fast, unmoveable, always abounding in the 
work of the Lord. ,, 

Finally: Prosperity is enjoyed, when the 
spirit of fervent prayer, and dependance on 
the grace of the Holy Spirit, is devoutly and 
habitually preserved. 

Oh ! the immense importance of the spirit of 
prayer ! It is essential to the existence, the pro- 
gress, and the success, of every good work. 
There can be no evidence of religion within us, 
and no rational hope of promoting religion 
around us, but in connexion with prayer. Its 
possession, continuance, and degree, are the 
most decisive evidences of the reality and 
advancement of vital godliness. The spirit of 
prayer is the first indication of the life of God 
in the soul ; and it is as the circulating medium 
of vitality — the very element of true prosperity 
in the promotion of individual and social reli- 
gion. It matters not what may be our atten- 
tion to retirement, to the duties of the family, 
to the interests of the sanctuary, the claims of 



35 



benevolence, and the cause of God, if the spirit 
of prayer pervade not our hearts, and be not the 
immediate spring of all our beneficence and zeal. 
If what we do, be done as unto God in every 
effort to promote his glory, it must be in the 
spirit of prayer. It is an animating indi- 
cation of prosperity, and one of the most effective 
methods of securing it. It is essentially con- 
nected with the communication and enjoyment 
of all spiritual blessings. It is the expression 
and the act of dependence on the 66 Spirit of 
grace, 1 " who is, therefore, called the Spirit of 
supplication. It recognises his energy ; it 
acknowledges the necessity of his influence ; it 
honours his offices in the great economy of 
redemption ; and is indispensably requisite to the 
success of all the means of prosperity. But to 
this topic I shall have occasion to advert in 
another discourse ; and I conclude the present 
address, by presenting to your serious attention 
some important inquiries. 

Dearly beloved brethren, suffer me to ask, 
with all fidelity, whether these great elements 
and principles of prosperity are really possessed 
by you ? Are you living to God ? Are you 
" new creatures in Christ Jesus ?" Are you 
united to Him by faith ? Are you maintaining 



36 



the power and vitality of godliness by a life of 
faith on the Son of God ? Are you honouring 
the Divine Spirit by the habit of prayer, and 
by entire dependence on his life-giving energy ? 
Is the Gospel of Christ " all your salvation 
and the enjoyment of its blessings, and the pro- 
motion of its influence, " all your desire ?" Is 
closet religion maintained? Are you walking 
humbly with God in its retired and sacred 
exercises ? Do you attend to the duties of 
domestic piety ? Are you practically regarding 
all the institutions of social religion and public 
worship ? Are you cherishing the spirit of 
love? Are you devoted to the service of the 
Redeemer ? And does the holy energy of 
prayer, and the powerful influence of " the 
spirit of faith,' 1 pervade all your actions, and 
impart a sacred character to all your efforts in 
the cause of God and truth ? Are you living 
with eternity in view ; and, under these realising 
impressions, are you consecrating yourselves to 
the interests, and honour, and extension of the 
church of Christ ? Brethren, " pray for us," 
who minister in holy things — pray for all the 
servants and churches of the Redeemer — " pray 
for the peace of Jerusalem" — pray for one an- 
other — pray for yourselves, " that the Word of 



37 

the Lord may have free course, and be glori- 
fied r 

May God the Holy Spirit accompany 
these reflections and inquiries with his 
blessing ! Amen 



SERMON II. 

Preached January 11, 1829. 



EZEKIEL xxxiy. 26. 

" AND 1 WILL MAKE THEM AND THE PLACES ROUND ABOUT 
MY HILL A BLESSING." 



This prediction refers to the future condition 
of God's ancient people, the Jews ; and is con- 
nected with predictions which respect their 
conversion to the faith of Jesus, and their resto- 
ration to the land of their fathers* The 
accomplishment of this prediction, in its pri- 
mary application, has unquestionable reference 
to the increased fertility of the land of Judea, 
especially in the hallowed scenes surrounding 
the hill of Zion. Yet, notwithstanding this 
reference, every true Israelite will consider its 
import far more extensive, and the results of 
its fulfilment more permanent, than could be 
exhibited by any merely physical indications, 
even in the times of millennial prosperity. 
While there is in some minds a tendency to go 



39 



beyond the soberness of truth, in spiritualising 
what is literal, and thus forgetting the temporal 
and secular blessings connected with the reign 
of the Messiah, there is in other minds, espe- 
cially in modern times, the opposite tendency to 
overlook what is spiritual, and, in the rage of 
novel speculation and the love of daring hypo- 
thesis, to secularise all the imagery of revelation. 
This principle of exclusively literal explanation, 
has well nigh explained away all the spirituality 
of religion in the views and feelings of some 
expositors of prophecy ; and rendered their 
ideas of the future glory of the church more 
accordant with the Elysium of an earthly para- 
dise, than with the principles of 66 pure and 
undeflled religion." 

Of this, brethren, we may be assured, that 
however literally some of the predictions of 
Scripture may be realised in the future pros- 
perity of the church of Christ, its true glory 
will consist in the knowledge, the purity, the - 
spirituality, and the devotion of its members. 
In proportion to their conformity to the mind 
of Christ, and the degree in which the spiritual 
influence of truth is impressed on the character, 
and rendered visible in the temper and the 
life, will the legitimate honour and excellence 
of the church be secured. The substantial 



40 



import of the promise before us is realised in 
every place, " where God commandeth the 
blessing, even life for evermore.'" The time 
has already arrived, when neither on the Hill 
of Zion nor on Mount Gerizim is the Father 
exclusively worshipped; but wherever the true 
worshippers of God, the genuine disciples of the 
Redeemer, are gathered together in his name, 
there is the Hill of Zion, there is 44 the heavenly 
J erusalem," there is a portion of " the city of 
the living God and, in reference to such asso- 
ciations, it may be said, " I will make them and 
the places round about them a blessing !" 

The principal indications of prosperity have 
been already considered. A church enjoys pros- 
perity, when personal religion is promoted, and 
its habits and principles are stedfastly main- 
tained ; when domestic piety is regarded, and 
there is an anxious regard to promote the welfare 
of children and servants, and all in the social 
relations of life ; when the Word of God 
is devoutly studied, and the institutions of 
religion are duly observed; when mutual love 
and active consecration to the cause of God are 
manifested in the intercourse of Christians with 
each other, and the world around them ; and 
when the spirit of fervent prayer, and entire 
dependence on the grace of the Holy Spirit, 



41 



pervades the members of a Christian church, and 
is the immediate source of their efficiency and 
devotion. Then may it be said that the church 
enjoys prosperity ; " peace is within its walls, 
and prosperity within its palaces." Let these 
indications be seen ; and in proportion to the 
degree in which they are exhibited, we may 
expect to see the kingdom of God advancing and 
extending around us. And what is it for the 
kingdom of God to advance ? Is it the mere 
diffusion of a name, the prevalence of a sect, 
the extension of a party ? No ! It is the reign 
of grace and holiness in the growing empire of 
our divine Redeemer ; it is the establishment of 
truth in the hearts of men, by the power of the 
Holy Ghost, producing all the fruits of righte- 
ousness and peace ; it is the conversion of 
sinners to God — their translation from dark- 
ness to light — and from the power of Satan 
to the knowledge,' faith, and obedience of the 
Saviour. 

If therefore, the true advancement of the 
church is secured, there will be connected with 
it these important results. And, my brethren, 
it should never be forgotten, that the work of 
conversion is intimately connected with the pros- 
perity of a Christian church. There is an 
influence resulting from a state of prosperity 



42 

in a church, that operates beneficially without 
it, and affects all within its hallowed range. 
This arises from the nature of things, from 
the constitution which God has established 
in the moral world, and from the provisions 
and connexions established in the covenant of 
grace itself ; for he has said, 44 I will make all 
the places round about my hill a blessing." 
When I say influence, I mean instrumental 
influence ; influence in the order of means — 
influence for which we are accountable ; for which 
we are commanded to pray ; and which, by all 
practical methods, in dependence on that agency 
which is alone efficient, we should humbly and 
diligently endeavour to secure. 

The topic of our present discourse will lead 
us to illustrate the connexion that subsists 
between the prosperous state of religion in a 
church, and the efficiency of a church in pro- 
moting the extension of the Redeemer's kingdom 
in the world ; or, in other words, THE INFLUENCE 
of prosperity in a christian church in pro- 
moting the conversion of sinners, and thus 
extending the kingdom and glory of the 
divine Redeemer. 

This will appear, if we consider, 

I. The ends for which Christian churches 
are formed. 



43 



In a preceding discourse on this great subject, 
I led you to consider several of the ends for 
which a church is formed. The immediate end 
is the promotion of individual edification : that 
" our faith and hope may grow exceedingly, and 
our charity towards each other may abound." 
The ultimate end is the manifestation of the 
divine glory. This will be, as it ever ought to 
be, the final result of the entire economy of 
salvation ; and it should, therefore, be habitually 
regarded by all those who are " renewed in 
the spirit of their minds." But in order to 
this end, the designs of sovereign mercy must 
be accomplished in the diffusion of truth, and 
the conversion of sinners to God. There 
is involved in the prosecution of this pur- 
pose, the accomplishment of various subordinate 
purposes. These are dependent on the efficiency 
of Christian churches ; and that efficiency is in 
proportion as they are accordant with Christian 
principles in their constitution and administra- 
tion. 

It is the intention of Jehovah, as announced 
in the declarations of his word, " to bring many 
sons to glory ;" to effect the final restoration of 
" a multitude which no man can number," to 
his favour and image ; and in the medium by 
which this design is accomplished, and the 



44 



results it secures, to provide for the display of 
his glory in its sublimest manifestation to all 
holy intelligences, through the ages of eternity. 
The means he has appointed for this end 
are intimately connected with the agency of his 
church. He makes those who are the subjects 
of his gracious and sanctifying influences, the 
instruments of effecting his great designs. They 
are redeemed by the blood of his Son, and puri- 
fied by the power of his Spirit, that they may 
serve him ; that this service may honour him ; 
and that, in connexion with thus serving and 
honouring him, they may bring others to the 
same service, and thus provide for the con- 
tinuance and extension of the honour of their 
Lord from generation to generation. A church of 
Christ is a union of such as love and serve Christ 
for these very ends. The essential character and 
object of their union, are such as to involve in 
them the use and application of the means 
which are divinely appointed for their promo- 
tion. We are, then, my dear brethren, giving 
proof that we are a church of Christ, not by 
merely associating and securing certain ends 
that may be to ourselves personally considered 
beneficial; but by aiming at the accomplish- 
ment of those ends for which " God hath called 
us to the fellowship of his Son." He intends 



45 



nothing less than his own glory ; the promotion 
of his glory involves in it the extension of his 
kingdom ; the extension of his kingdom is in 
proportion to the conversion of sinners to God ; 
the conversion of sinners requires the active use 
of all the means which are placed within the 
power of a church for that purpose ; and, there- 
fore, a church of Christ is really prosperous, 
when its members are solemnly, unitedly, and 
individually, aiming at these great objects, and 
are thus striving together for the faith of the 
Gospel. If the end for which the church 
is formed, is its edification, and its edifica- 
tion is essentially connected with the accession 
of others to its numbers, then the conversion of 
sinners becomes one of the direct and immediate 
ends for which a church of the living God is 
formed. If this end be not regarded, there 
is a fatal deficiency in the views, feelings, and 
principles, of those who belong to it. 

If therefore, in religious associations, personal 
interests be so exclusively regarded, that there 
is no generous solicitude leading them to seek, 
by all legitimate means, -the conversion of 
sinners to God in their several families and con- 
nexions, and in the world around them, for what 
purpose do they exist as a spiritual society ? How 
important is it for us to keep this in view, that we 



46 



may rise to an elevation corresponding with the 
dignity of the great object for which we are 
associated together ! Brethren, reflect on its 
grandeur and its claims. Rise above the little- 
ness and comparative worthlessness of all other 
objects. Aim at being, in the sublimest sense, 
" fellow- workers together with God," employed 
as his instruments, and, if I may so speak, iden- 
tified with him in the promotion of that end, 
for which He himself lives and reigns in the 
universe which he has formed, and the church 
which he has redeemed ! These conceptions, 
when realised by the exercise of faith, and 
rendered operative by the living power of com- 
munion with God, will impart a sacredness to 
your fellowship, and an energy to your efforts, 
which no inferior feelings or interests can pro- 
duce : and in proportion as you thus live to the 
glory of your Divine Redeemer, will a mighty 
influence from on high accompany your exertions 
and " give you the increase." 

This connexion will further appear, if we 
consider, 

II. The means divinely instituted for 

THE ACCOMPLISHMENT OF THESE ENDS. 

" All things are of God." In his sovereign 
purpose they originated ; by his efficient power 
they operate ; according to his wise arrangements 



47 



those operations are conducted ; and to his 
glory the entire economy of the universe is 
subservient. In accomplishing the designs of 
his will, he acts by means of his own appoint- 
ment ; and this great law of his agency, which 
applies to every department of his vast admini- 
stration, is distinctly recognised in the reign of 
grace and mercy. No doubt the Almighty 
could effect all his purposes without any human 
instrumentality, as well in the edification of his 
people, as in the conversion of sinners : but he 
has not so determined. He says, " I will bless 
thee, and thou shalt be a blessing ! I will 
make them and all the places round about my 
hill a blessing !" The institutions of religion 
are the means of grace — the means by which 
God u commands the blessing, even life for 
evermore V Hence the attraction which is con- 
nected with the house of God in the estimation 
of e^very devout and enlightened mind. There 
is enjoyed the fellowship of the saints ; and 
what heart, renewed by grace, has not responded 
in its inmost feelings to those hallowed strains 
of our Christian Psalmist — 

" My soul shall pray for Zion still, 

While life and breath remains : 
There, my best friends, my kindred dwell ; 

There God, my Saviour, reigns ?" 



48 



Hence, there is a moral charm — a divine and. 
holy spell — in the sanctuary, which binds every 
true believer to the very locality of a Christian 
church; connecting the most delightful and 
interesting associations with the spot, where God 
has communed with his people, where the tokens 
of his presence have been enjoyed, and where 
holy and spiritual feelings have been promoted 
in the intercourse of kindred minds, and the 
manifestations of the divine favour. Thus, the 
Christian pilgrim is enabled to go on " from 
strength to strength and there is a wise and 
gracious adaptation to the promotion of our best 
interests in all the services of the sanctuary. 
The exercises of prayer in social worship, the 
united songs of thanksgiving and praise, the 
impressions received from the divine testimony, 
in the instructions of the Christian ministry, the 
subserviency of the pastoral relation, when duly 
discharged, to the great objects of vital godli- 
ness, and the hallowed delight enjoyed in the 
commemoration of the Redeemer's death, and 
in solemn and united dedication to his service, 
— are all admirably adapted to the promotion 
of piety, and the great end of advancing 
the divine glory. Oh ! these are " the still 
waters, and the green pastures," where the good 
Shepherd leads his flock ; and if He conduct us 



49 



thither — if He bless the provision, — there will be 
the decisive indications of prosperity, in our 
active, living, holy consecration to his cause ! 
There is an adaptation in all these exer- 
cises to promote our capacity and fitness for 
service. He thus blesses his people, that they 
may be blessings to others. He thus comforts 
them, that they may comfort and edify others. 
He thus spreads before them the rich provision 
of his mercy, that they may be prepared and 
disposed to invite others to the heavenly ban- 
quet, that the house of mercy may be filled with 
guests ; that He, who has purchased and 
procured it at so vast an expenditure, may 
" rejoice in his love f that he may u see of 
the travail of his soul, and be satisfied V 

There is no institution which God has esta- 
blished in his church, that is not as directly 
connected with the conversion of sinners, as with 
the edification of saints. If therefore, the one 
is not promoted, what evidence have we that 
the other is really and scripturally secured ? 
Tell me of a Christian Society, amongst whose 
members there is no active exertion for the con- 
version of sinners, and no recognition of this as 
one of the specific objects of its association, 
and you tell me of a church where the true 
edification of believers is not enjoyed. God 

F 



50 



honours them who honour him. In churches 
where this is disregarded, the observance of 
divine ordinances degenerates into formality, or 
settles down into the hardihood of unholy pre- 
sumption. The outward machinery of religion, 
unless this living principle pervade and animate 
its movements, becomes a dead inoperative 
system. Whatever its external character, or the 
estimate formed of it by worldly men ; whether 
distinguished by its gorgeousness or its meagre- 
ness ; whether taken up by the interested and 
the secular, rested in by the pharisaical and 
the self-righteous, or pleaded for by the narrow 
and contracted ; — it is alike unproductive of those 
great results, which ought ever to be contem- 
plated in the observances and institutions of 
Christian churches. How can it be said, that 
the promise in the text is verified in the cha- 
racter of such communities ? Are <f all the 
places round about them — a blessing ?" 

Every Christian ordinance is a testimony for 
God and his truth. The existence of a Chris- 
tian church is a testimony to the authority and 
claims of the Redeemer. The LordVday is 
a testimony to his resurrection ; and the Lord's 
Supper, to his death. The erection of a place of 
worship, however mean its style, or humble its 
architecture, is a testimony to the living and 



51 



true God, and a practical acknowledgment that 
he ought to be worshipped. All its services, in 
proportion as they accord with the oracles of 
truth, are so many testimonies- — witnesses for 
God. Prayer acknowledges his mercy, and 
praise confesses our obligations to that mercy. 
The discipline of a church is an acknowledg- 
ment of the holiness of his house ; and its 
fellowship declares, that " wherever two or 
three meet together" in the name of their 
Lord, he is in the midst of them. The 
reading of the Scriptures is the confession 
before the world, that God has revealed his 
will ; and that that will is before us in the tes- 
timony of his word. The preaching of the 
Gospel is, above all, a constant, periodical, unin- 
terrupted testimony — a testimony to the church, 
and the world, that God has constituted a 
solemn embassy to proclaim his love, and 
announce the designs and requirements of his 
mercy. 

And what, brethren, is the intelligible 
language of these testimonies ? Are they 
designed only for the benefit of those who, 
directly and immediately, proclaim them ? 
Are they not so many solemn, faithful, 
and impressive declarations to the world, to 
every creature — that there is a God — that he 



52 



ought to be worshipped — that he has revealed 
his will — that he has made known his mercy— 
that Jesus Christ came into the world to 
save sinners — and that he that believeth 
in him shall not perish, but have ever- 
lasting life." 

The existence and observance of all these 
divinely appointed means, by virtue of their 
institution and their fitness, connect them- 
selves with the promotion of that great 
object, which we, my brethren, should never 
forget, when we meet each other in the sanc- 
tuary, and recognise our mutual fellowship in 
the Christian church. The very end of their 
appointment is defeated — their main design is 
nullified — and no result, accordant with their 
primary and most important intention, is ac- 
complished, — if these various testimonies for 
God are not brought home to the consciences 
of men, and sinners are translated from dark- 
ness to light, and from the power of Satan 
to God. 

With special force does this apply to that 
ordinance, which, of all the institutions of 
religion, is peculiarly designed for the conver- 
sion of sinners. It is therefore, emphatically 
termed 46 the ministry of reconciliation it is 
the service, the administration {haKovia), by which 



53 



God himself deigns to " beseech men to be 
reconciled.'" Its object is to arrest the attention 
of the careless; to impress the consciences of 
the obdurate; to present the warnings and 
invitations of divine compassion ; to exhibit the 
fulness and freeness of the Gospel in all its 
provision of mercy ; to direct the anxious 
inquirer to the ways of peace ; and to bring 
the children of men, whatever their character, 
in believing and penitent subjection to the feet 
of the Redeemer ! 

Brethren, " I magnify mine office," while I 
desire, with all humility, to abase myself before 
God, when I remind you that, of all the means 
divinely appointed for the good of the church 
and the conversion of sinners, none is so impor- 
tant, so indispensably requisite, and so power- 
fully efficacious, under the blessing of the Holy 
Spirit, as the ministry of the Gospel. If this be 
not distinguished by adaptation to spiritual 
usefulness ; by fidelity, simplicity, and energy ; 
by the exhibition of the whole counsel of God ; 
by the force of affectionate warning and solemn 
reproof ; by the unshrinking manifestation of 
the truth in all its doctrines and injunctions ; 
by the application of that truth to all the 
varieties of character ; — in one word, by its 
being the evident aim of those who sustain that 



54 



ministry, to make their dispensation of the 
Gospel a faithful reflection of every part of 
the divine testimony ; — how can we expect to 
see the prosperity of the church, and its pro- 
gressive enlargement in the conversion of 
sinners ! Oh ! I feel, my friends, the awful 
responsibility attached to such an office ; and I 
am sure that the more you reflect on its claims, 
the more your sympathy will be evinced by 
your prayers and your co-operation. W e need, 
I confess, to be humbled before God, on account 
of our weakness, and manifold infirmities, and 
great unworthiness ; but, oh ! if we have grace 
to be faithful, and God in any measure honours 
our feeble administration with success, — you will 
at once perceive how that success, which arises 
from your edification, is connected with the 
extension and revival of religion around you; 
how the prosperity of a church, under a suc- 
cessful ministry, gives energy to zeal, and activity 
to benevolence ; how schemes of useful exertion 
will be encouraged, brotherly love will abound, 
and holy charity will operate ; and thus will the 
promise be fulfilled — " I will make them and 
all the places round about my hill a blessing." 
" Brethren, pray for us, that the word of the 
Lord may have free course and be glorified 
Pray that the ordinances of God's house may 



55 



be to you " wells of salvation" — that having 
yourselves approached the " fountain of life," 
you may become subordinate sources of good 
to others; and thus, as the Scripture saith, 
" from within you may flow rivers of living 
water !" 

A most important inquiry arises out of these 
principles. If these are the ends of Christian 
fellowship, and the means of grace are adapted 
to their accomplishment, are we, in our individual 
capacity, and in our relationship to the church 
of God, anxious to promote them ? Have we 
given ourselves to the Lord for this purpose ? 
Are we regarding all divine institutions for this 
end ? There is a responsibility attached to each 
individual member : it is not enough to come on 
the Sabbath to the sanctuary, approach the 
Lord's table, and unite in the observance of 
sacred ordinances, merely for our own edification 
and improvement; — there must be an anxious 
solicitude to devote all we are and have, to 
" Him who died for us," and to make this dedi- 
cation in connexion with his church. The great 
principles that characterise the fellowship of our 
churches, have in them a moral power, a holy 
aptitude and elasticity, which renders them of 
most extensive application, and capable of 
embracing all the plans that can be devised 



56 



for the conversion and salvation of the 
world. And if Christian churches, formed on 
these principles, had been more faithful to their 
true and legitimate application, there are few 
societies now existing by virtue of voluntary 
combinations, that might not have been in still 
closer alliance with our churches, and have ren- 
dered them still more efficient in promoting all 
the objects by which God is to be honoured, 
and the salvation of men effected. I look upon 
this subserviency, if properly regarded by us in 
the fellowship of the churches, as forming one 
of the strongest internal evidences of the 
accordance of their constitution with that of 
the primitive churches. My brethren, we are 
not sufficiently impressed with the importance 
of this fact ; nor do we adequately appreciate 
the advantages arising from these principles. 
The efforts of all voluntary associations for the 
promotion of religion, and the requisition of 
certain common principles as their basis, are 
tacit acknowledgments of their efficacy and 
value ; they prove their adaptation to our nature, 
and illustrate their agreement with the spirit and 
genius of a religion, which is really successful 
only in proportion as men are " willing in the 
day of the Redeemer's power, ,, and " give 
themselves to the Lord, and to one another, by 



57 



the will of God." In proportion as these principles 
pervade Christians of all denominations, may we 
look for an increase of divine communications, and 
for a blessing to rest upon the means employed for 
the moral interests of the world. There is a deep 
responsibility resting upon us. Our connexion 
with the church of Christ places us under obli- 
gations to be active for God, and to consecrate 
ourselves to his service. If therefore, religion 
prosper in a church, there willj be the activity 
of a willing and benevolent consecration ; but if 
there be no effort, no self-denying exertion, no 
anxiety si to do good, and to communicate," no 
holy solicitude for the spiritual and eternal 
interests of men, it is a decisive indication that 
whatever be the creed, or the confidence, or the 
profession of such churches, they have only 
" a name that they live, and are dead f 

The connexion between the prosperity of a 
church, and the conversion of sinners, will appear, 
if we consider, 

III. The influence resulting from this 

PROSPERITY IN THE FORMATION OF CHRISTIAN 
CHARACTER. 

Character is the result and the expression of 
principles; and when religion prospers, there 
will be a high standard of character. The line 
of demarcation between the church and the 



58 



world will not be so narrow and imperceptible 
that no one can discern it. Worldly conformity 
paralyses the energies of Christians, and neu- 
tralises the influence of churches. How many 
professors are there, of whom you can form no 
satisfactory conclusion? They appear among 
the disciples of Christ on the Sabbath ; they 
fill up their places in the sanctuary; perhaps 
sustain a relation to the church, and attend 
its most sacred ordinances : but follow them 
to the scenes of private and domestic intercourse; 
mark their character in the family, and observe 
their conduct in the world ; — and where is 
the characteristic difference between them and 
others who are avowedly living without God ? 
There is no recognition of spiritual religion, no 
devotional habit, no abstinence from worldly 
associations, no standing out in decisive and 
consistent prominence of the spirit, and temper, 
and feelings, that constitute vital godliness. 
The stamp of worldliness is on them; reli- 
gion is not the first thing ; and if it is not the 
first thing, it is nothing. It must be supremely 
regarded, or it is virtually denied. The Saviour 
will disdain every seat but the throne of the 
heart ; and our profession is only an empty 
name, unless we love him " with all our soul, 
and mind, and strength," and exhibit the 



59 



corresponding influence of that love in our actual 
character. Whatever therefore, be the claims 
of business, the enjoyments of life, or the 
pursuits of taste, if a man be really in earnest 
about the salvation of his own soul, and the 
souls of others, the conviction and the impres- 
sion will be manifested ; and time will and must 
be found for the promotion of these momentous 
interests. In the week, as well as on the Sab- 
bath, the worship of God and the services of 
religion will be regarded. But, alas ! how 
many are there, who so immerge themselves in 
the affairs of the world, as to occupy all their 
hours in earthly pursuits, and prevent the 
least appropriation of time for religion, except 
what the laws of the land happen to provide for 
it, in the observances of the Sabbath ! And, 
alas ! how many are there, called Christians, 
who would forget every thing connected with 
religion and its institutions, were it not for the 
recurrence of the Sabbath ! There is reason to 
apprehend that too much of this spirit exists 
among Christian professors of higher pre- 
tensions ! 

But in proportion as real religion prospers 
among us, it will be felt by the members of 
churches especially, that the one great thing for 
which we live in the world, is to promote the 



60 



cause of God, the conversion of sinners, and 
the extension of the Redeemers kingdom. I 
know there are claims in the world ; that the 
calls of business, and the necessities of families, 
are urgent and imperative ; and that we live 
in a state of society so artificial, that many are 
almost unavoidably compelled to be occupied 
far more constantly than they desire, in secular 
affairs. Many of the habits of modern times 
are unfavourable to the promotion of religion. 
The hours of business, and numerous domestic 
arrangements, are often such as to prevent many 
persons from attending weekly meetings for social 
worship and Christian intercourse ; but those 
who sincerely lament these hindrances, will be 
the most willing to do all in their power to 
obviate them, while half-hearted and worldly 
professors will find them convenient pretexts for 
their negligence and indifference. But surely, 
my Christian friends, it is more than ever im- 
perative upon us, to remember the influence of 
character, and the importance of "proving ivhat 
is the good, and perfect, and acceptable will of 
God." There must be a higher sense of the 
value of those objects which regard the conver- 
sion of sinners, and the spiritual welfare of our 
neighbours around us. There must be a higher 
standard of aim and effort resulting from these 



61 



impressions. " Knowledge is power," but holi- 
ness is a still greater source of power ; and a life of 
consistent, elevated, practical godliness will do 
more for the honour of the Redeemer, than the 
splendour of the mightiest talents, unconsecrated 
by the humility and spirituality of religion. 
It should be our habitual desire, in all things 
to glorify God. Then, without obtrusiveness, 
imprudence, or ostentation, the men of the world 
would seldom meet us without recognizing our 
personal Christianity. There would be pro- 
duced the impression, that there is something 
of God about us — a holy singleness of purpose 
that would indicate the genuineness of cha- 
racter. How many hours could have been 
spent in the company of the Apostle 
Paul, without the conviction that he was a 
Christian and a Christian minister? Devo- 
tion to the Redeemer was the element in 
which he lived, and this made him act at all 
times as the recognized and faithful servant of 
his great " Master in heaven This should 
be a model for the imitation of all who are 
called to sustain the ministerial office. We 
should bear about us " the image and super- 
scription of holiness." But the obligation 
extends to every disciple of the Son of God; and 
bear with me, my friends, while I urge upon you 

G 



62 



an identity of feeling and interest in this high 
duty — this sacred privilege of " living to Him 
who died for us." Co-operate with us, and 
encourage us, when we bring the subject 
of religion before you ; and in every attempt 
that we may employ for the promotion of 
religion, be concerned that the pastors of 
the churches may be able to refer to you, 
as those of whom they can say, as did 
the Apostle respecting some of his con- 
temporaries, " These have been a comfort 
to us." 

How often has the exhibition of Christian 
character led men to the contemplation of re- 
ligion, and made them feel the inward conviction 
of its reality and importance ! Such was the 
effect so remarkably produced by the zeal and 
devotion of the primitive churches ; for it is re- 
corded of them, that they " who gladly received 
his word were baptized : and there were added 
unto them about three thousand souls. And they 
continued stedfastly in the Apostle's doctrine 
and fellowship, and of breaking of bread, and in 
prayer. And fear came upon every soul: and 
many wonders and signs were done by the 
Apostles." (Acts ii. 41 — 43.) The same Evan- 
gelist in another passage, presents a most in- 
structive illustration of the connexion which 



63 



subsists between the prosperity of a church and 
its enlargement. (Acts ix. 31.) — " Then had the 
churches rest, or peace, throughout all Judea and 
Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and 
walking in the fear of the Lord, and the 
comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.'" 
Here we have a proof that the edification 
of Christian societies, evinced by their holy 
fear and spiritual joy, will be found inti- 
mately connected with their progress and 
extension. The same connexion still exists; and 
the history of the church in all ages confirms 
the sentiment. 

If individual religion prosper, we shall 
find a spirit of inquiry excited in families. 
If the church, generally and collectively, 
feel the importance of religion, there will 
be an ardent desire that others may parti- 
cipate in the same blessings ; and there 
will be a holy sympathy with all the plans 
and efforts of Christian benevolence. Our 
heavenly Father, though he is a Sovereign in all 
his dispensation, works by means adapted to our 
moral nature. Under the consciousness of his 
influence, there will be a spirit of activity and 
effort in all the intercourse of life, for the great 
purpose of glorifying God. Every association 
will be pervaded by this principle, in proportion 



64 



to the degree of individual and social piety. 
And thus " he will make all the places round 
about his hill a blessing."" 

Brethren, there is a weight and a force in 
character of the highest importance, and Chris- 
tians above all other persons should feel it. 
Remember what is said of Barnabas — " He ivas 
a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and 
of faith : and much people was added to the 
Lord" (Acts xi. 24.) Here was the energy 
of faith and prayer, followed by corre- 
sponding success. We behold the effect 
of personal devotion in ministerial useful- 
ness. The blessing of God rested on his 
labours, and " many were his joy and crown 
of rejoicing !" 

An immense debt of service to the world is 
due from the church of Christ ; and every 
member of the church should be concerned 
to discharge the obligation. We should not 
for a moment suppose that this duty be- 
longs only to ministers, and deacons, and 
official characters. Every private Christian 
has his separate amount of influence, and 
should contribute that amount towards the 
general liquidation. ^Talents, property, and 
character, should be employed in its dis- 
charge. Arrears have from age to age 



65 



accumulated. It is a debt of justice ; for we 
should " do unto others as we would they should 
do to us." It is a debt of honour ; for our 
Lord has said, " freely ye have received, — 
freely give." It is a debt of gratitude : — " How 
much owest thou, 0 disciple of Jesus, to thy 
Lord f Then, " be not weary in well doing ; 
knowing that, in due season, ye shall reap if 
you faint not." 

These reasonings lead me to observe — 

IV. That in proportion to the actual 

PROSPERITY OF A CHURCH, DIRECT EFFORTS 
WILL BE MADE FOR PROMOTING THE CON- 
VERSION OF SINNERS. 

I have referred to the end for which churches 
are formed ; to the adaptation of divine institu- 
tions for the accomplishment of that end ; and 
to the influence of character in the extension of 
the cause of religion : but I proceed to a more 
decisive illustration of the connexion between 
the prosperity of a church and the conversion 
of sinners to God. If you are in a prosperous 
state, you will be active with a direct and 
immediate view to this great result. You 
will not only be diligent in the observance 
of appointed ordinances, but that diligence 
will be marked by its distinct reference to the 
object; and this will be the case in proportion 



66 



to the degree and extent in which you are really 
prosperous. 

Such, my friends, is the constitution of things 
in the moral world, in the present state of its 
administration, that no great benefit can ever be 
secured to our fellow creatures without laborious 
exertion. It is one of the sad consequences of 
sin, that in reference to every thing good there 
must be an effort; while, in relation to every 
thing evil, there is, alas ! a strange facility, and 
an awful subserviency in the tendencies of human 
nature ! But if we would be really benefactors 
to our species; if we would do good, even in 
reference to the temporal interests and secular wel- 
fare of men; what difficulties must often be encoun- 
tered — what prejudices must be overcome — what 
labour and sacrifices must be endured ! Above 
all, if their spiritual welfare be contemplated, 
we must never forget that the most powerful 
resistance is to be expected ; resistance derived 
from the state of the heart, the habits of society, 
the power of the world, the prevalence of error, 
the corruptions of religion itself, and the 
malignant agency of infernal spirits ! To over- 
come in this conflict with the powers of darkness, 
is impossible by any merely human efforts ; omni- 
potent energy alone can effect it. But this very 
energy of Omnipotence, by the appointment of 



67 



infinite wisdom, is connected with the limited, 
dependent, and subordinate agency of man. For 
the use and application of this agency we are 
therefore responsible : God works, by " working 
in us both to will and to do and we have no 
evidence that he has wrought in us " the will," 
if the " doing " be not conjoined with it. This 
doing is the activity of the Christian life ; and 
while, like every other principle of life, self- 
preservation is its immediate object, yet its high 
approximation to the Divine nature makes it 
necessarily active for the diffusiveness and 
communication of its own vitality ! The very 
acts which in the proper sense of efficiency 
are ascribed to God alone, are applied also 
to the instrumental agency of his people. 
Hence Paul the apostle is said to " have 
begotten" the Corinthians to that new nature 
which they possessed : and of Philemon he 
writes — " I have begotten him in my bonds;" 
evidently meaning, that his instrumentality was 
immediately connected with his regeneration. — 
(1 Cor. iv. 15 ; Philemon 10.) On the same 
principle St. James assures us, that " he that 
converteth a sinner from the error of his way, 
shall save a soul from death." — (James v. 20.) 
From such representations as these, I infer the 
direct obligation of aiming at and intending the 



68 



conversion of sinners ; and if no dangerous errors 
paralyse and wither the energies of a Christian 
church, there will be an inseparable connexion 
ever felt to exist, between our personal expe- 
rience of the power of the Gospel, and our 
strenuous exertions to effect the salvation of 
others. 

Every principle of real religion will urge us 
to these exertions ; every doctrine of the cross 
will operate as a motive to this labour ; every 
promise of the covenant will stimulate our 
energies to this holy enterprise. God himself 
has so arranged it, that in the spiritual as well 
as the natural world, we are to plant and water, 
though He alone 66 can give the increase." Look 
at the first Christians; the moment they received 
the Gospel, they disseminated the Gospel, and 
united to impart to others the blessings by which 
they had been enriched. Thus the promise was 
fulfilled — " / will make them and the places 
round about my hill a blessing" They could 
enter into the spirit of that sublime and benevo- 
lent prayer, which the church had been taught 
to offer even under the more restricted dispen- 
sation of the law — " God be merciful to us, 
and bless us ; and cause his face to shine upon 
us, that thy way may be known upon earth — thy 
saving health among all nations V W e have a 



69 



delightful illustration of this connexion in the 
character of the Thessalonian church. The 
first Epistle to that church exhibits the whole 
of that divine process by which they were ren- 
dered so pre-eminently successful in diffusing 
the Gospel around them. They " received the 
Word they became followers of Christ ; their 
" election of God " was declared by the " work of 
faith, the labour of love, and the patience of hope." 
And what was the effect of these holy princi- 
ples? — Mark the account of their operation — 
" For from you sounded out the word of the 
Lord; and in every place your faith towards 
God spread abroad." The surrounding districts 
became the scene of their beneficent exertions ; 
and their success, in 4C turning men from idols, 
to serve the living and true God," proved in 
what manner the apostolic Gospel had been 
received. 

Thus in the islands of the South Sea, when 
their inhabitants, through the divine blessing 
on the labours of Christian Missionaries, were 
converted to the faith of Jesus, and they 
were formed into Christian churches, they 
established associations among themselves, for 
the support and diffusion of the Gospel. They 
sent out native teachers to the surrounding 
islands, several of which were evangelised, 



70 

not by British Missionaries, but by these first 
converts to the truth. The moment they 
became the recipients of truth, they felt and 
acted upon the obligation to become dispensers 
of the truth. They were " blessed, and were 
made a blessing." 

On these principles, my beloved brethren, 
must all legitimate efforts for the conversion of 
men proceed; and the experience of believers, 
and the history of the church, illustrate and 
confirm them. They constitute the true springs 
of genuine Christian zeal, and the best security 
for its permanence and efficiency. 

I appeal to your own recollections, ye dis- 
ciples of our Lord, who can look back on the 
period of your first surrender to Christ — your 
first dedication to his service, — whether you 
were not then supremely anxious that all around 
you might become the disciples of the same 
Redeemer, and participate with you in the same 
privileges? How common is it for those who 
receive the truth, under the fresh and powerful 
impulse of zeal and love, to resolve at once to 
become preachers of his Gospel, and dedicate 
their lives to the service of God in his church ! 
Experience may perhaps afterwards convince 
them, as it did the ardent Reformer, that " old 
Adam is too hard for young Melancthon." When 



71 



he first became a convert, he thought to make 
converts of all around him ; and how many have 
felt a similar expectation ! Trials may convince 
us of our weakness, and induce greater self- 
distrust : but the ardour, and the effort, and 
even the generous anticipation, are all lovely 
proofs of the energy and vitality of Christian 
principles. And would to God, that the 
progress of knowledge did not diminish the 
simplicity of right feelings and honest purposes ! 
We may sometimes smile at our former expecta- 
tions ; — we have infinitely greater reason to weep 
over our present supineness! We have dearly 
obtained our supposed elevation in character and 
attainments, if we have ceased to feel the glow 
of sympathy, and the energy of zeal, constrain- 
ing us to be habitually and increasingly active 
for God, and devoted to the good of others. 
It is not elevation, but depression, it is 
not improvement, but deterioration, if the 
more we really know of the preciousness of the 
Redeemer does not urge us to do more for 
the salvation of men. The highest models are 
before us in prophets and apostles, and the 
noble army of martyrs and confessors, and the 
truly illustrious of the Church in every 
age ; who, as they advanced in knowledge and 
influence, and were maturing for heaven, became 



72 



more intense in their devotion, and more self- 
denying in their labours. Their approach to 
eternity deepened their convictions, and strength- 
ened their resolutions ; they felt the value 
of souls more powerfully, and were better 
prepared to enter into the solemn and ago- 
nising solicitude of the Redeemer, when he 
said, " I have a baptism to be baptised with ; 
and how am I straitened till it be accomplished /" 
Oh ! disciples of the Redeemer ! rise from your 
lethargy ; work while it is called to-day ; look 
around on your respective families, connexions, 
and neighbourhoods; and be not contented 
with prayers, and hopes, and indirect efforts. 
Plead with men for God, while you plead 
with God for men ; use all the means 
appointed for the conversion of souls ; endea- 
vour to realise the scenes of a death-bed, 
and the solemnities of eternity. What would 
be your estimate of duty, of responsibility, 
of the necessity of diligence and prayer, 
under the impression of those solemnities ? 
Transfer the sense of obligation thus felt, 
to all your present relationships; and above 
all, reflect on Him who lived and died for 
you ; then your exertions, your self-denial, 
and your perseverance, will correspond in some 
measure to the nature of your profession and 



73 



the grandeur of your hopes ! You will act and 
speak and live, as those who feel the value of 
salvation and the claims of immortality ! 

The history of the church illustrates the fact 
of this connexion. There never has been any 
revival of religion in the church, that has not 
been preceded by the excitement of a spirit 
of prayer, and accompanied by fervent and 
self-denying exertions for the conversion of men. 
And I never expect to see religion prosper in 
our own country, and promoted upon a scale at 
all corresponding with the doctrines we avow and 
the hopes we cherish, until there be a return to 
the simplicity and devotion of primitive times. 
Then our actions will prove the sincerity of our 
professions, and demonstrate the reality of our 
principles. Let the subject, 

1. Rectify some misconceptions that prevail on 
this subject. 

Far be it from me, to depreciate the import- 
ance of the great doctrine of God's sovereignty. 
I know that God, as a Sovereign, dispenses his 
favours as he pleases ; but it is his " pleasure " 
to be " found of them who seek him." What 
he may do, or has a right to do, is not to be 
confounded with what he has promised to do ; 
and remarkable displays of mercy, out of the 

H 



74 



ordinary methods of his procedure, affect not 
either our personal or relative obligations. 

There is an established connexion of means 
and ends in the general proceedings of the 
Divine government ; and in grace, as in nature — 
in the church, as well as in the world, — we are 
not to reason from events that seem to be a 
deviation from these established methods of 
acting, as if a divine institute were superseded. 

If then we find, that in all ages of the church, 
good has been promoted, sinners have been con- 
verted, a spirit of inquiry has been excited, the 
cause of religion has assumed a higher and a 
holier elevation, when there has been the spirit 
of prayer ; when, with the spirit of prayer, there 
has been connected the spirit cf a self-denying 
and scriptural exertion; — then we are responsible, 
as it respects ourselves, our families, our neigh- 
bours, and the world around us. We deplore 
the want of success ; we deplore the degeneracy 
of the age ; we deplore the prevalence of crime 
in the world, and formality in the church : but 
have we done our duty, as to the use of all the 
means appointed by God to remove it ? Have 
we been faithful to the souls of our children P 
Have we been faithful to the souls of our ser- 
vants? Have we been faithful to the soids of 



75 



our neighbours ? Have we been anxious for the 
spiritual welfare of men around us ? Have we 
prayed and laboured for them ? Have we felt, 
as the Apostle felt, a 66 travailing in birth," — a 
holy and anxious solicitude that Christ might 
be formed in their hearts the hope of glory ? 
Let us not resolve into any exercise of divine 
sovereignty, that which can be accounted for by 
our negligence and inattention ; but be faithful, 
unwearied, and persevering, in the sacred cause, 
<c knowing that our labour shall not be in vain 
in the Lord." 

% The subject ought to excite faithful self- 
examination concerning our individual state and 
character. 

It is one of the great promises of the covenant 
of grace — " I will bless thee, and thou shalt 
be a blessing." To be a blessing to others, we 
must first be blessed ourselves. We have no 
evidence that we are blessed ourselves, if we 
are not a blessing to others. Here, then, should 
commence our inquiries. Have we been brought 
to the Saviour, and are we sitting at his feet, 
" clothed and in our right minds ?" If we are 
the monuments of his grace, we shall be the 
instruments of his power ; and in the social circle 
and the general intercourse of life, we shall prove 
our spirituality by our devotion. The image of 



76 



Christ will be impressed upon vis, and others 
will glorify God in us. 

The history of the church has presented, and 
still presents, many delightful illustrations of the 
value of personal and domestic religion, and the 
faithfulness of God to his promises. I well 
recollect the testimony of one, who sustained an 
official relation to this church, respecting the 
beneficial impression produced on his mind when 
a youth, in the family of a former Deacon, who 
long ago " served his generation by the will of 
God, and has been gathered to his fathers." In 
that domestic circle our friend witnessed so much 
of the excellence, loveliness, and consistency, of 
religion, and was so affectionately invited to 
attend to its claims, that he became, at length, 
in opposition to all his prejudices and habits, 
disposed to hear the word preached ; was after- 
wards united to this church ; and when his 
revered benefactor was removed to his rest and 
reward above, was chosen by his fellow members 
to sustain the same official relation. He lived 
respected by the world and beloved by the 
church ; died in the faith and hope of the 
Gospel ; and " his memory is blessed. 11 * And 
may I not appeal to many who have been brought 
to a knowledge of the truth, in the families 
* The late Mr. Robinson, who died July 1823. 



77 



where God is honoured, by his blessing on 
parental instruction and domestic devotion ? 
Then let each inquire — Am I a help or a 
hindrance to the great cause of vital godliness ? 
Am I the instrument of converting men, or of 
hardening them in their impenitence and un- 
belief? Am I increasing the number of travellers 
to the heavenly Zion? or am I causing others to 
neglect the great salvation, and thus preparing 
them for that awful destiny in which I shall not 
perish alone in my iniquity ? 

Let the subject awaken the inquiry in the 
minds of all present, whether or not they have 
received the truth in the love of it? Oh ! recollect, 
that while I have been describing the prosperity 
of a church, I have been speaking of matters 
that relate to your own interests, your own 
responsibility, your own everlasting destiny ! 
"Every one shall give account of himself to 
God !" 

But O, ye lovers of the world, still living 
" without God," remember that no responsibility 
affecting us, will diminish yours. Though you 
may not be members of a Christian church, 
or make a profession of religion, you have 
heard the Gospel declared to you ; and imagine 
not that your responsibility is lessened or super- 
seded by your indifference. Your not being 
h 3 



78 



hypocrites or formalists will not prevent you 
from being self-deceivers. " The word of God is 
nigh you if you neglect it, tremendous is your 
sin, and awfully aggravated will be your con- 
demnation. Will you reject the counsel of 
God against yourselves ? — will you continue to 
" neglect the great salvation ?" ' 

There are, I trust, those present, who, though 
not united to the people of God in Christian 
fellowship, yet ought to commemorate the death 
of their Lord at his table ; and such best know, 
whether remaining indecision, or worldly in- 
fluence, or unwarrantable fears, keep them from 
it : but there are those whom I could not — durst 
not — encourage to come ! Why ? You exhibit 
no evidence of belonging to Christ ! You have 
no love to the Saviour — no taste for heavenly 
enjoyments — no fitness for communion with 
God ! It would be deluding you — it would be 
aiding you in the awful process of self-destruction 
— if 1 were to invite you to come to the table of 
the Lord. But remember that if you are not 
spiritually prepared for sustaining a relationship 
to God's people on earth, how can you unite with 
the redeemed, and sanctified, and glorified in 
Heaven ? Were it possible for you to enter that 
world of purity and devotion, with your present 
principles and feelings, you could not be happy. 



79 



Regeneration — the entire renovation of your 
heart and character — is essential to your ad- 
mission. There must be a title to heaven by an 
interest in the atonement of the Redeemer, and 
a fitness for heaven by his sanctifying Spirit. 
Oh ! let me urge upon you an immediate at- 
tention to these infinitely important realities ; 
implore the influence of divine grace for your 
present and everlasting salvation, and implore it 
fervently ! Eternal interests are involved in the 
momentous question before you. There is but 
one method of interest in the divine favour— one 
way of escape from the wrath to come — one 
hiding place from the storm — one Rock of salva- 
tion. Oh ! may it appear that we are " blessed 
by being turned from our iniquities." May God 

COMMAND THE BLESSING, EVEN LIFE FOR EVER- 
MORE ! 



SERMON III. 

Preached January 18, 1829. 



ACTS xi. 21. 

" AND THE HAND OF THE LORD WAS WITH THEM: AND A 
GREAT NUMBER BELIEVED, AND TURNED UNTO THE LORD." 



"The works of the Lord are great, sought 
out of all them that have pleasure therein."''' 
And what works of the Lord are not great? 
Our ideas of great and little are relative, and 
describe only our limited, and ever varying 
conceptions. The terms that denote such ideas, 
when we apply them to God, are terms of no 
meaning. In the minutest, as well as in the most 
extended operations of his power, we behold 
what is worthy of omnipotence, and what om- 
nipotence alone can effect. If this sentiment 
applies with propriety to the material universe, 
in all its varied and complicated arrangements, 
how much more does it apply to the world of 
mind, — to the system of the divine government in 



81 



its moral relations — its relations to intelligent and 
responsible beings. The least are not beneath 
his notice, the greatest are not exempted from 
his control ; and " his kingdom ruleth over all." 

But especially are those " works of the Lord 
great," which respect the economy of human 
redemption. This is "the work," in the accom- 
plishment of which the highest orders of holy 
intelligences, feel the most devout interest, and 
cherish the most grateful complacency. They de- 
light to acknowledge and adore the " purpose and 
grace given in Christ Jesus before the world 
began;" to trace its gradual developement in the 
successive dispensations of religion which have 
been established in the church from age to age ; 
and, above all, to contemplate the mystery of 
the Redeemer's incarnation, the obedience he 
completed, the atonement he effected on the 
cross, the glories of his resurrection and ascension, 
the effusion of the Holy Spirit, and all the 
agency by which the designs of mercy are ac- 
complished, in the renovation, sanctification, and 
final glorification, of " the called, the chosen, 
and the faithful." 

It is in this work of mercy we behold so 
eminently displayed all the perfections of the 
Divine character, and provision made for a 
revenue of praise and glory to Jehovah, the 



82 



Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, through- 
out the ages of eternity ! 

My brethren, we are called upon this day to 
reflect on a part of this mighty scheme of mercy, 
and to ascertain whether we are personally in- 
terested in its design .and completion ; whether 
we are living stones in that living temple, in the 
erection and consummation of which God will be 
glorified for ever ! This is a matter of individual 
and universal importance; for, if not thus 
interested, " it would have been better for us if 
we had never been born f 

Your attention has been directed, in former 
discourses, to "the indications of prosperity in 
a Christian church, and the influence of such 
prosperity in promoting the conversion of sinners 
to God." I am anxious, on this occasion, to 
lead you to consider the last topic of our pro- 
posed inquiries. — The scriptural means of 

EFFECTING THE REVIVAL OF RELIGION. 

The text, and the history connected with it, 
furnish us with a most satisfactory illustration 
of the principles by which we ought to conduct 
our inquiries on this subject. From the con- 
text of the passage we learn that under the 
gracious superintendence of the Redeemer, " as 
Head over all things to the church," the 
persecution that succeeded the death of Stephen, 



83 



the first martyr, was overruled for the further- 
ance of the Gospel. " The disciples, who were 
scattered abroad, went everywhere preaching 
the word ;* and in the course of their dispersion 
from their native land, they came to Antioch, 
and " there they preached the Gospel.' 1 Those 
who believed the Gospel, were united together in 
Christian fellowship, formed themselves, under 
the guidance of apostolic principles into a 
Christian church, and continued to receive an 
accession of converts from time to time, from 
their surrounding idolatrous neighbours. The 
tidings of their prosperity reached the church at 
Jerusalem ; and they deputed Barnabas, one of 
their teachers, to visit the rising church of 
Antioch. " When he came and saw the grace 
of God, he was glad, and exhorted them all, 
that with purpose of heart they would cleave 
unto the Lord." Saul of Tarsus had about 
this time been brought to the feet of the Re- 
deemer. His conversion was an invincible 
demonstration of the power and truth of the 
Gospel, and a most important accession to 
the means enjoyed for its diffusion. With 
all the ardour of a youthful convert, he visits 
Antioch ; and uniting with Barnabas, in the 
ministry of the Gospel, we find them spending 
a whole year amongst the disciples there, for 



84 



the " defence and confirmation of the Gospel.' 1 
Of Barnabas, we are told that " he was a good 
man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of 
faith : and much people were added unto the 
Lord."" And so eminent was the piety, so 
remarkable the devotion of these primitive 
believers, that they were the first to whom that 
honourable appellation was applied, which is 
" the highest style of man for " the disciples 
were first called Christians at Antioeh. 11 And 
if you ask the reason of all this prosperity, the 
cause of all this success, the text answers the 
question; — " The hand of the Lord was with 
them : and a great number believed, and turned 
unto the Lord.' 1 '' 
This passage, 

1st. Recognises the doctrine of divine 
agency. " The hand of the Lord was with 
them.*' 1 

It was this that rendered the ministry of 
Barnabas, and Saul, and the other instructors who 
visited them, effectual to the great ends of their 
edification and increase. It was " the grace of 
God, 11 rendered visible by its effects, which caused 
the heart of Barnabas to be glad. 

"The hand of the Lord 11 is a well-known 
scriptural figure for the power of the Lord. The 
hand is the instrument of action, and thus it 



85 



becomes the emblem of power, whether employed 
for assistance, guidance, or protection. The 
hand, too, was employed for the purpose of 
expressing benediction, and the idea of favour 
is thus associated with the application of the 
term. 

Of John the Baptist it is said, " The 
hand of the Lord was with him," blessing, 
strengthening, and guiding him; and above 
all, rendering his ministrations successful. When 
Ezra and Nehemiah were employed in the im- 
portant work of rebuilding the city and the temple 
in Jerusalem, what cheered them in this holy 
enterprise ? They could say — " The good hand 
of our God was upon us. ,, And thus the good 
hand of the Lord was with those servants of the 
Redeemer to whom the history before us refers, 
guiding them and imparting consolation to their 
minds. But the phrase in the text is especially 
intended to convey the idea that the power of 
God was the direct and efficient cause of their 
success. u The hand of the Lord was with 
them ;" and, as the effect of this agency, " much 
people was added to the Lord. ,, 

This remark of the sacred historian explains 
the language of the Apostle in his epistle to the 
Thessalonians ; — " Our Gospel came not unto 
I 



86 



you in word only, but in power, and in the Holy 
Ghost, and in much assurance." And the 
Apostle, addressing the church of Corinth, 
makes a similar recognition of the great doctrine 
of the Divine agency — "Who, then, is Paul, 
and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye 
believed, even as the Lord gave to every man f 
(1 Cor. iii. 5.) 

The Lord gave to each holy labourer a deter- 
minate measure of success. " I have planted, 
Apollos watered, but God gave the increase ; so, 
then, neither is he that planteth anything, nei- 
ther he that watereth, but God that giveth the 
increase.'" 

The doctrine of Divine influence is one of the 
most important doctrines of revelation. In the 
Christian revelation especially, it holds a pro- 
minent place. The work and office of the Divine 
spirit are represented as characteristic of the 
new dispensation, and it is therefore called 
emphatically, "the ministration of the Spirit." 
As the coming of the Son of God was the great 
subject of promise under the Old Testament, so 
the giving of the Spirit and the effusion of his 
gracious influence to bless the church and to 
convert the world, are the subjects of special 
promises under the New Testament dispensation. 



87 



" If I go away, I will pray the Father, and he 
shall send you another Comforter, that he may 
abide with you for ever." 

Hence, the prominence given to the influences 
of the Spirit in all the promises of the covenant 
of grace. The moral state of human nature 
renders the exertion of this agency necessary ; 
the death of Christ has removed every hindrance 
to that exertion ; the resurrection, ascension, and 
government of the Redeemer, are all connected 
with the manifestation of this Divine power; 
and Jesus is the "head over all things to the 
church ;" he possesses "the seven spirits before 
the throne" — the variety and fulness of spiritual 
influences to render his word effectual, and to 
accomplish the designs of his mercy. He reigns 
in the economy of redemption — raises up instru- 
ments for promoting the conversion of sinners 
and the edification of the saints, that the end for 
which he died, and for which he lives, may be 
accomplished in the final salvation of a " multi- 
tude which no man can number." 

In proportion to our conviction of the neces- 
sity of this agency, we shall be led to 
dependence and humility in all our exertions ; 
it is the feeling of this necessity that is 
the very life of prayer. In proportion as 
we are convinced of our helplessness and 



88 



inefficiency, we shall be led to supplicate the 
out-pouring of the Divine spirit for our own 
benefit and the good of others. An impres- 
sive and practical view of this subject, will 
secure a scriptural observance of the various 
means which God has appointed in his word. 
The text not only recognises the doctrine of 
Divine agency, but asserts, 

II. The connexion of that agency with 

HUMAN INSTRUMENTALITY. 

"The hand of the Lord 1 ' was not manifested, so 
to speak, by itself, but was manifested in connexion 
with the activity and instrumentality of his ser- 
vants : " the hand of the Lord was with them? 

The great secret of prosperity, whether per- 
sonal or social, whether in relation to ourselves 
individually, or the church of God collectively, 
is the union of dependence with exertion ; the 
union of faith with activity ; the spirit of self- 
renunciation as to confidence and merit, com- 
bined with the spirit of energetic and persevering 
effort in every 64 work and labour of love." 
It is thus that we " take hold of Jehovah's 
strength,*" as alone adequate to the accom- 
plishment of the mighty work, practically con- 
necting exertion with the " spirit of faith," in 
the use of all the means adapted and intended to 
secure the great result. 



89 



Observe, as the illustration of these sentiments, 
how the disciples acted who visited Antioch, and 
by whose instrumentality, so many were "added 
to the Lord." 

First; their diligence and activity in the dis- 
semination of the Gospel demands our notice. 
Of these zealous disciples, it is said, " they went 
everywhere preaching the word." This was pre- 
eminently the institution to which the Redeemer 
had affixed the seal of his approbation. Every 
opportunity of proclaiming it was cheerfully 
embraced ; and its dissemination, by the aid of 
the living voice making known the message of 
mercy and truth, was the object which, of all 
others, lay nearest their hearts. This they well 
knew was God^s special instrument for the con- 
version of the world; and while the brethren 
fitted for this work were more publicly 
engaged in it, I conceive there was a general 
co-operation, by virtue of which, in a certain 
sense, all became the heralds of mercy. The 
dissemination of the Gospel by whatever means, 
whether in private or in public life, is strictly in 
accordance with this great institution. The 
obligation, in this view of it, is individual and 
universal; because all who know and receive the 
Gospel are bound by the most sacred considera- 
tions to make it known to all around them, 
i 3 



90 



My brethren, " the preaching of the Cross " is 
still by many deemed "foolishness and weakness;" 
but the experience of millions, and the history 
of the church in every age, demonstrate its effi- 
cacy, and prove that it is fct the wisdom and the 
power of God." Every thing therefore, which 
directly or remotely affects the character and 
influence of such as are engaged in " the ministry 
of reconciliation," becomes of the highest import- 
ance to the interests of the church and the 
conversion of the world. I shrink not from the 
avowal — solemn and affecting as is the responsi- 
bility which I feel in making it, — that a careless, 
inadequate, unimpressive, or, on any great point, 
defective, ministration of the truth, is, of all 
other causes, conducive to a declining state of 
things in the church of God ; and that indiffer- 
ence, error, worldly conformity, and other 
indications of declension, are closely connected 
with the tone and character of ministerial 
instruction ! I know of no instances of the 
powerful revival of religion, that have not been 
marked by a revival of the frequency, simplicity, 
and energy, with which the preaching of the 
Gospel has been employed for the great end of 
converting sinners to God. It was the preaching 
of the Gospel that overturned the altars of 
idolatry in ancient times, and caused the banner 



91 



of the Cross to wave triumphantly over the 
superstitions that had for ages desolated the 
world ! It was the preaching of the Gospel that 
shook to its very foundations, the tyranny and 
despotism, and long established errors, of the 
Antichristian power of Papal Rome ! It was 
the preaching of the Gospel that promoted so 
effectually the revival of truth and godliness in 
the memorable days of Whitfield and Wesley ; 
and when religion had awfully declined, and a 
spirit of slumber seemed to have settled on the 
churches of this country — while error and forma- 
lity corrupted or paralysed them, — " the Lord 
gave the word, and great was the company of 
them who published it:" and a second sera of 
reformation commenced, to which, under the 
Divine blessing, we may trace the efforts and 
institutions of modern times. It is in accord- 
ance with the spirit thus excited, that so 
many societies have been formed for " making 
known in every place the savour of the 
knowledge of Christ and if we are desirous 
of a still more extended and energetic 
advancement of the great cause, we must 
go on with increasing efforts. There are still, 
at home and abroad, millions to be evange- 
lized, — sinners perishing " in the high ways 
and hedges," — whom we must, by all the force 



92 



of holy exertion, " compel to come in" to the 
banquet of mercy. In this manner we must 
emulate the ardour and perseverance of primi- 
tive times, and be " always abounding in the 
work of the Lord." — Let us advert, 

Secondly, To the effects resulting from the 
principle of fellowship. The first Christians 
united with each other in all the observances of 
social religion : love to Christ led them, " for 
the truth's sake," to love each other : hence their 
communion, and their co-operation. The faith 
and the fellowship of the Gospel were insepa- 
rable: they knew nothing of the anomaly of 
modern times — professed Christians of no visible 
or outward communion ! And this fellow- 
ship was one of the principal sources of their 
power. If union is strength for purposes that 
are secular, surely it may be expected to be so 
for purposes that are spiritual ; and it will be 
found, that as religion really prospers, energy 
and usefulness result from the principle of 
combination. That system of polity, as to 
matters ecclesiastical, is either in its constitution 
or administration radically defective, which 
secures not this result. Look at the facts of the 
case before us : the converts at Antioch, like 
those in Judaea, were formed into a Christian 
society as s$on as they " had gladly received 



93 



the word for in the account succeeding the 
text, we are informed that Barnabas and Saul 
" assembled themselves with the church, and 
taught much people? To this union of the 
disciples, accessions of new converts were con- 
tinually made; and these were the persons 
" exhorted, with purpose of heart, to cleave 
unto the Lord,' 1 in the spirit of humble 
dependance and holy profession. Thus all the 
affections, sympathies, and energies of the 
people, were concentrated in the great cause 
which bound them to each other. And when, 
my dear brethren, will the church of the 
living God become " the joy of the whole earth" 
and " the glory of all lands?" When this sacred 
principle of union and fellowship pervades it 
in all its departments and associations; when 
the spirit of division, and rivalry, and strife, 
shall cease ; and the Christian community, ani- 
mated by the same life-inspiring principle, shall 
" look forth 11 on the world of darkness and sin 
around them — <c bright as the sun, fair as the 
moon, and terrible as an army with banners — 
Then the empire of the Redeemer shall be 
established over the whole earth ; and the J ew 
and the Gentile acknowledge one Messiah ! 
Then " the churches shall have rest and be 
edified ; and, walking together in the fear of the 



94 



Lord, and the comfort of the Holy Ghost, shall 
be multiplied." Then shall be realized the truth 
of the ancient prophecy — " Many people shall go 
and say, Let us go up to the mountain of the Lord 
to the house of Jacob, and he will teach us of his 
ways, and we will walk in his paths ;" and the,re 
shall be heard in grateful response, the resolve 
of holy sympathy — " We will go with you, for 
God has spoken good concerning you !" 

My dear brethren, it is in proportion as we 
approximate to the spirit and character of primi- 
tive times, that we may hope to witness the 
approach of the true millennial glory of the 
Christian church. Our simple object must be 
the glory of the Redeemer — our sole dependence 
must be on " the hand of the Lord." We must 
be devoutly and practically anxious that this 
" hand of the Lord" may be with us. All the 
means we employ must be in the spirit of de- 
pendence, combined with the spirit of activity. 
We must aim at disseminating the Gospel ; we 
must associate with the disciples of Christ ; we 
must observe all his institutions ; we must make 
it the object of our efforts and our prayers, con- 
tinually and energetically, that " much people 
may be added to the Lord.'''' 

We have reason to rejoice that God has not 
left us without encouraging tokens of his favour. 



95 



Whatever need there is for desiring and seeking 
the revival of religion, we ought not to forget 
what he has done for us. Conscious of our 
great unworthiness, and the reasons we have for 
deep abasement before God, far be it from us to 
sympathise with that spirit which would lead us 
to depreciate or overlook the signs of Divine 
favour to our land, and indulge in the feelings 
of angry complaint and morbid despondency ! 
Be it ours to cherish the feelings of Barnabas, 
who, " when he saw the grace of God, was 
glad!" Notwithstanding the reasons that exist 
for deep humiliation, let us not manifest the 
feeling of ingratitude. I appeal to those of my 
friends who can look back on the last thirty and 
forty years, and compare some aspects of former 
times with the present, and not feel that there 
are reasons for thanksgiving to God ! We re- 
joice in the increase of evangelical religion in 
the national Establishment, and have reason for 
thankful acknowledgement that God is raising 
up an increasing number of faithful men within 
the walls of her sanctuaries, to proclaim " the 
unsearchable riches of Christ," where, half a 
century ago, they would have been proscribed 
and condemned as fanatics and enthusiasts ! 
When we reflect on the numerous societies 
formed in our country, for the circulation of the 



96 



Scriptures, for the instruction of the young, for 
the conversion of the heathen, and the salvation 
of the world, surely we ought to " thank God, 
and take courage. 1 ' And I cannot refer without 
gratitude to the increase of those churches with 
which we are more particularly associated, and 
the indication of God's mercy towards us in this 
sanctuary. I know, my dear brethren, that 
humiliation becomes us — deep and heart-felt hu- 
miliation — that we are so far below that standard 
of character, and that elevation in privilege, 
we ought to attain. Still we may " encourage 
ourselves in the Lord our God," and trust that 
those sainted spirits of former days who once 
worshipped within these walls, or whose testi- 
mony for God and truth was heard in this 
temple, were they again permitted to witness 
the scenes of time, would rejoice that the Great 
Head of the church is still "giving testimony 
to the word of his grace." Oh ! may we not 
say, " If the Lord had intended to destroy us, he 
would not have shewed us such things as these W 
But, my beloved friends, it still becomes us to 
inquire whether there are not reasons — ample and 
abundant reasons — for desiring a far more ex- 
tended manifestation of the Divine favour than 
this church has ever yet enjoyed. The drops 
that precede the shower ought not to satisfy us. 



97 



It should be our concern to look beyond the 
first fruits, as a " wave offering," that we may 
reap an abundant harvest of spiritual good, and 
thus "rejoice together." When we consider, 
notwithstanding all that has been effected, what 
remains to be accomplished ; when we reflect on 
the state of things in our own highly favoured 
but guilty land, and contemplate the prevalence 
of crime, the daring front assumed by the 
sceptical, the religious, and the profane ; — we have 
reason for the deepest humiliation, and the most 
fervent prayer that God would "arise and 
plead his own cause !" In one point of view, 
the malignity, and energy, and daring hardihood, 
of impiety, may be regarded as the re-action of 
" the powers of darkness," in consequence of the 
inroads made on their infernal reign. The state 
of the moral world is approaching a crisis ; the 
agents of Satan are more than ever active in his 
service ; and it becomes the friends of truth and 
holiness to redouble and increase their efforts, 
and thus " come to the help of the Lord against 
the mighty." 

Brethren, in this spiritual warfare our strength 
lies in feeling our weakness, and our honour 
depends upon our abasement ! We must be 
humbled, that we may be exalted ! If we are 
truly desirous that " the power of Christ may 

K 



98 



rest upon us" — that the hand of the Lord may 
be with us" — that we may be successful in our 
attack on the empire of sin — that "the prey 
may be taken from the mighty, and the captive 
may be delivered" — we must " forget the things 
that are behind" — we must, in the spirit of 
fidelity, examine our real condition and state ; — 
we must remove whatever would render power- 
less or ineffective " the weapons of our warfare ;" 
and, above all, remember they can be mighty 
only through God ! 

"Suffer the word of exhortation," while I 
suggest what is essentially requisite to our pros- 
perity as a church of Christ, and the conversion 
of sinners to God. 

I. There must be a deep sense of the 

NECESSITY AND IMPORTANCE OF A REVIVAL OF 
RELIGION AMONGST OURSELVES. 

And ought we not to have this conviction? 
Ought not our minds to be pervaded by the 
feelings of this necessity ? Is the state of things 
as we could really desire it to be, and as we 
know it ought to be with us? My dear friends, 
let us institute the faithful inquiry. Are there 
not thousands around us living without God, • 
and without hope in the world,— -enemies to 
God by wicked works ? Are there not those 
who drop into our sanctuaries, Sabbath after 



99 



Sabbath, influenced perhaps by momentary 
curiosity ; and should we not manifest, even for 
such wanderers, the sincerest anxiety — do all we 
can for their accommodation — and endeavour, by 
a kindly interest in their welfare, to attract them 
again to the house of God? Are there not 
some who attend constantly on the service of 
the sanctuary, who are living in a state of 
practical atheism, and habitual neglect of god- 
liness ? Are there not those who appear to unite 
in the songs of Zion, listen with attention to 
the truth delivered, and at times appear under 
powerful excitement; but who, as they retire from 
the sanctuary, forget all they have heard, while 
the tide of worldly feelings and secular en- 
gagements returns with increased force, and 
obliterates every impression? And are there 
not those, who with perhaps more of knowledge 
and emotion, sometimes alarmed, and sometimes, 
as they imagine, comforted, discover by their 
subsequent conduct, and the train of all their 
voluntary and cherished associations of thought 
and feeling, that there is no spiritual taste for 
divine things — no communion with God on 
retiring from the house of prayer — no flame of 
piety burning on the altar of the heart, in the 
recesses of an inward sanctuary, where only God 
and the offerer are present ? Are there not those 



100 



whose consciences tell them that they have come 
this very day to the house of God, and did not 
before they came, enter their closet, to supplicate 
the heavenly grace to be poured out upon them ? 
Are there not some, who have entered this place 
in a spirit of irreverence and levity, with no 
right views of the serious and responsible nature 
of its public services, no lifting up of their 
hearts in devout aspirations and fervent desire ? 
Are there not those, alas ! too many I fear, 
who have a name to live, and are dead ! — pro- 
fessed disciples of Christ, and supporters of 
public institutions for his cause — who not only 
neglect the duties of the closet, but the duties of 
the family — have no altar to God in their house- 
hold — think not of the souls of their children, 
and feel no devout interest for their welfare — 
and are habitually walking " according to the 
course of this world?" 

But I proceed to other classes. There are 
those of whom we may hope better things, who 
appear to be decided followers of Christ — main- 
taining the exercises of devotion in their closets, 
the worship of God in their families, enjoying 
the privileges of Christian communion, and as to 
their general character irreproachable, to whom 
I may still present the language of inquiry, and 
ask — Are your souls in a state of spiritual 



101 



health ? Are you enjoying a close and humble 
walk with God ? Are you living 44 as strangers 
and as pilgrims in the earth P Are you endea- 
vouring to maintain the conviction of your 
responsibility, in connexion with the sense of 
your privileges, and, under that impression, are 
you consecrating your influence, your talents, 
your time, to the service of the Redeemer ? Is 
the glory of God before you in all the intercourse 
of life ? Are you 44 walking in the fear of the 
Lord, and the comfort of the Holy Ghost ?* Is 
44 the joy of the Lord your strength ?•" Are you 
adorning the doctrine of God your Saviour ? O, 
my brethren, let us be faithful to ourselves, — 
let us be concerned to ascertain the real state of 
our hearts, and the character we are exhibiting 
in the sight of God ! And let me particularly 
inquire, whether your views and convictions of 
the importance of religion are leading you to 
activity, self-denial, and earnest endeavours 
for the conversion of sinners? Is there not 
reason for the deepest humiliation, that we feel 
so inadequately the value and force of our 
acknowledged convictions ? Do we not find 
Sabbath after Sabbath, and week after week, 
passing away, and comparatively little effected 
in this greatest of all causes ? Here and there, 
individuals are led to inquiry, and we rejoice 

K 3 



102 



66 as one that findeth spoil." Here and there, 
are those to whom the arm of the Lord is 
revealed ; but they are few, compared with the 
records of former times, and compared with 
the records of modern times in other churches of 
the living God ! Even in the last year, in the 
principality of Wales, as many as from eighty 
to a hundred have been received at one church 
meeting to the communion of Christ, and in 
circumstances where there has been no external 
agitation, and no indications likely to excite 
the suspicion of fanaticism. This has especi- 
ally been the case in the United States of 
America. In the days of President Edwards, 
a man of gigantic intellect and pre-eminent piety, 
there were awakenings of an extraordinary 
nature; the account of which was republished 
in this country by Dr. Watts and Dr. Guyse, 
for the purpose of exciting attention to the " sur- 
prising work of God." At that period, there 
were some appearances of extravagance that 
might have been naturally anticipated; and 
the necessity of discriminating between false 
and true indications of revival, led to the 
publication of Edwards's invaluable " Treatise 
on Religious Affections ;" designed to afford 
rules and tests for separating " the precious and 
the vile," and distinguishing between what may 



103 



be termed accidental, and what is necessary 
to the evidence of godliness. In some cases, 
there were remarkable effects produced by 
the entrance of truth into the mind; but in 
recent instances of revival, there has been less 
of the outward manifestation of emotion ; there 
has been more of what is accordant with our 
own habits ; the evidence of strong but sub- 
dued feelings, has been evinced by the profound 
stillness of the sanctuary and the continuance 
of earnest inquiry after divine things. Even 
within the last year, hundreds have been added 
to the churches in America; and in some 
districts, thousands have been brought to the 
feet of the Redeemer ! In consequence of these 
revivals, personal godliness has risen to a higher 
elevation, and assumed a loftier tone ; there has 
been less conformity to the world ; religion has 
been the great subject in all their conversations 
with each other ; the business of life has been 
rendered visibly subordinate to the great and 
infinitely important concerns of salvation ; volun- 
tary associations of friends and neighbours have 
been formed, for the purpose of social prayer 
and religious conference ; the men of business, 
professional men, scientific men, literary men, 
men of all classes and all orders — the rich and 
the poor — the educated and the uneducated, 



104 



have alike been brought under a mighty influ- 
ence, and so subdued and sanctified by that 
influence as to associate in hallowed fellowship 
with each other ; the diversities of outward con- 
dition have been comparatively forgotten; and 
the importance of great principles has united 
them to each other in Christian love and active 
devotion ! Thus have again been witnessed, 
with less that was exceptionable, the scenes that 
gladdened the hearts of Edwards and Stoddart, 
and other illustrious men of the American 
churches : and it has been proved that " the arm 
of the Lord is not shortened that it cannot save, 
and his ear not heavy that he could not hear P 1 
There has been a delightful illustration of that 
remarkable passage in the prophecy of Malachi : 
" I will pour out a blessing, that there shall not 
be room enough to contain it P 

Brethren, why ought not we to look for similar 
manifestations of Divine power and energy in 
the prosperity of the church and in the conver- 
sion of sinners? Oh ! let us be concerned in the 
earnestness of deep conviction — to feel both the 
necessity and importance of such a display of 
the Divine power and grace amongst us. We 
are warranted to anticipate the accomplishment 
of the same glorious promises ; but in order to 
this result, there must be — 



105 



II. Sincere humiliation of spirit, com- 
bined WITH FERVENT AND UNITED PRAYER. 

With what inadequate feelings and unimpres- 
sive convictions do we, think and act in the great 
matters which have been brought under our 
consideration ! We profess to believe in the 
realities disclosed in this sacred book; to 
acknowledge the depravity of man — his help- 
lessness, his degradation, his responsibility, and 
his immortality ! We profess to believe, that 
we are put in possession of the only remedy for 
his moral disease ; and this remedy is in every 
sense the grand catholicon adapted to the wants 
of all, and as unrestricted in its freeness as it is 
universal ^in its adaptation. It is the revealed 
will of the sovereign Dispenser of these blessings, 
that those who are saved should become the 
instruments of salvation to others. We have 
found the Gospel " the savour of life it has 
" turned the shadow of death into the morning," 
and we are rejoicing in the light. But then, 
how many around us are in darkness ! how 
many are every moment perishing ! Do we 
really believe this ? Why, then, are we so 
supine, so lethargic, so formal in our religion, 
so much " at ease in Zion ?" — 66 Verily, we are 
guilty concerning our brother !" — Will not " his 
blood be required at our hands ?" If we enter 



106 



as we ought into the force of these inquiries, we 
shall feel that, on our own account, as well as 
on account of our lamentable indifference respect- 
ing others, we have reasons for the deepest 
abasement before God. Oh ! let us humble 
ourselves in his sight ; let us weep over our 
hardness and insensibility ; let us trace our 
want of feeling and interest, in reference to the 
souls of others, to the low state of religion in 
ourselves. What causes for humiliation do we 
find in our negligence and our irregularity in 
the duties of private and domestic devotion \-~* 
What carelessness and worldliness in public 
worship ! How little concerned to " give earnest 
heed to the things we have heard V — How 
seldom we converse about them with those 
around us ! If a fatal malady were spreading 
its contagion, and in every street, and every 
house, and in our own families, it was number- 
ing its victims and extending its desolations — 
and we ourselves had been afflicted and were 
healed, and knew the method of cure — " the 
means of turning the curse into a blessing,'" — 
should we not be anxious and persevering in 
using all the power we possessed " to save souls 
from death ?" Why then, are we so unmoved 
and unaffected by a visitation infinitely more 
tremendous? Why are we not supremely 



107 



solicitous that this " plague may be stayed ?" 
Why are we not rushing amidst the ranks of the 
dying, with this " censer V of mercy in our hand, 
that they may be healed and live ? 

We must begin, my friends, with these heart- 
searching and heart-stirring inquiries, that we 
may humble ourselves in the very dust before 
God. It must not be a cold acknowledgment — 
a frigid confession — aggravating past neglect 
by present hypocrisy, and preparing for future 
self-deception : there must be sorrow, and peni- 
tence, and deep compunction; that we may 
renew our application to that blood which alone 
cleanseth from iniquity, and " sin no more, 
lest a worse thing befal us." 

If our humiliation be sincere, it will lead us 
to prayer ; and the appropriate feeling in such 
a state of mind will lead us to united prayer. 
While we " mourn apart," and pray tc apart," 
as individuals, as families, and as members of 
churches, we shall be humbled before God, and 
unite in those exercises which, by the Divine 
blessing, may be conducive to the promotion 
and revival of godliness. It is in the proper 
excitement of these feelings the practice of 
religious fasting originates: voluntary absti- 
nence, whether partial or total, is the natural 
expression of sorrow, and the means of promoting 



108 



and deepening those convictions out of which it 
arises. As rest from bodily labour on the Sab- 
bath is enjoined for the purpose of fitting the 
mind for its duties, so fasting is of use only so 
far as it is the genuine sign of " godly sorrow. 11 
It is designed to excite holy feelings, to express 
humiliation, to prepare for duty and trial, to 
teach us the superiority of spiritual to animal 
enjoyments, to lead us to the throne of grace 
and the strength of the Redeemer, and to 
promote our greater activity, beneficence, and 
devotion, in the service of God and his church. 

Seasons of extraordinary humiliation should 
be marked by the devout observance of fasting 
and prayer. Under the Old Testament eco- 
nomy, these united duties were enjoined by 
Divine authority. The Gospel has not abrogated 
the obligation, though as a dispensation of 
greater liberty, it has not provided for specific 
periods of abstinence, still less sanctioned the 
practice of imposing on the churches or their 
members seasons of fasting. It has left their 
observance to the voluntary determination of 
individuals and communities ; it has recorded 
instructive instances of the use of fasting ; and 
connecting these records with the history of the 
church in primitive times, and the accounts of 
periods remarkable for the revival of godliness, 



109 

we are put in possession of powerful arguments 
in its favour. Predictions respecting the times 
of the church, under the reign of the Messiah, 
distinctly recognise the duty : — " I will pour 
upon the house of David, and upon the inha- 
bitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace arid of 
supplications : and they shall look on me whom 
they have pierced, and they shall mourn : there 
shall be a great mourning, as the mourning of 
Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon." — 
" Turn ye to me with all your heart, and with 
fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning : 
and rend your heart, and not your garments, 
and turn unto the Lord your God : for he is 
gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of 
great kindness. Who knoweth if he will return, 
and leave a blessing behind him ?" — (Zech. xii. 
10, 11; Joelii. 12—14.)* 

* The recent attention to the duty of extraordinary humi- 
liation and prayer, by appropriating a day for this purpose in 
districts, and amongst churches that can conveniently unite 
with each other, is an encouraging " token for good." Such 
seasons were not infrequent in the early days of our venerable 
fathers, the founders of the first Nonconformist churches. The 
records of the church at Stepney contain many interesting 
references to the practice ; and the biographical accounts of 
Baxter, Henry, Owen, and others, show how attentive they 
were to this duty at particular periods. As the seventeenth day 
of next April has been recommended for the purpose of special 

L 



110 



To the great duty of prayer, we have a most 
instructive encouragement in the address of the 
prophet Jeremiah to the captives in Babylon. 
The period of their release was distinctly foretold, 
and the certainty of the event announced : but 
neither the purpose nor the prediction super- 
seded the use of prayer, which was as distinctly 
connected, in the order of means, with the return 
of the exiles to their own land, as the invasion of 
Babylon by Cyrus, and the success of his arms 
in that enterprise. The conduct of the prophet 
Daniel illustrates the true principle of confidence 
in the Divine purposes securing and inspiring 
prayer. " I know, saith Jehovah, the thoughts 
that I think towards you ; thoughts of peace, 
and not of evil, to give you an expected end. 
Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and 
pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. 
And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye 
shall search for me with all your heart."— (Jer. 
xxix. 11—13.) 

player, and the union of churches in this exercise, it is to be 
hoped that the leisure afforded by the day — (it being that on 
which " Good Friday," as it is called, will happen this year,) — 
and its nearness to the commencement of the great Annual 
Meetings, will lead to general and united supplication for the 
out-pouring of the Divine Spirit and the revival of religion ! 
May it be " a time of refreshing from the presence of the 
Lord!" 



Ill 



And how, my brethren, was this prediction 
accomplished ! When Daniel, and his pious 
associates, " set their faces unto the Lord their 
God, to seek by prayer and supplication, with 
fasting and sackcloth and ashes ; and prayed and 
made confession f (Dan. ix. 3, 4.) And this they 
did, as the prophet says, " because they under- 
stood the number of the year, whereof the word 
of the Lord came to Jeremiah the prophet." We 
have similar, and far more numerous assurances 
respecting the future glory of Messiah's kingdom. 
" As yet, we see not all things put under him." 
He is still despised and rejected, and by millions 
unknown. But " the Gospel of the kingdom 
must be preached to all nations ;" and Jehovah 
hath declared, that " all flesh shall see his 
salvation." Let 'us, then, act on principles which 
shall lead to united and fervent supplication. 
God honours prayer. There is a holy " violence," 
— a sacred importunity, which is itself the presage 
of higher and richer displays of his glory. It 
should be our sincere desire to see the manifesta- 
tion of that spirit of union, so strikingly described 
by Zechariah— " when the inhabitants of one 
city shall go to another, and say, Let us go 
speedily or continually to pray before the Lord, 
and to seek the Lord of Hosts ;" and when, in 
grateful response, the answer shall be received — 



112 



" I will go also /" (Zech. vii. 21.) Oh ! happy 
aera, when this prediction shall be accomplished, 
and union, energy, and perseverance in prayer, 
shall be the prelude of that song of praise, which 
shall be heard throughout all nations — " Halle- 
lujah ! the Lord God omnipotent reigneth /" 
But, in order to the revival of religion, there 
must be, 

III. The careful avoidance of what- 
ever may GRIEVE THE HOLY SPIRIT, OR BE A 
HINDRANCE TO SPIRITUAL PROSPERITY. 

Are we, my friends, sincerely desirous of pro- 
moting the great objects of a spiritual revival ? 
We must never forget the honour which is due 
to the Divine Agent, whose influences alone can 
effect it. While we supplicate that influence, 
and use the means enjoined for obtaining it, we 
must faithfully examine whether there be any 
cherished desires or unholy habits, which may 
intercept his gracious communications. The 
Spirit is emphatically the Spirit of holiness; the 
truth which he has revealed, the institutions 
he deigns to employ, and the dispositions which 
he inspires, have impressed upon them this 
essential property of his nature. As well, there- 
fore, may light and darkness coalesce, as his 
influence be enjoyed in the heart, which is not 
rendered, in its desires and tendencies, congenial 



113 



with his own. Sin is the hostile element, which 
his agency is exerted to counteract; and we 
give evidence that we are under the power of 
that agency, just in proportion as we are made 
willing to promote this counteraction. This is 
the warfare in which we are never to relax, till 
we are made "more than conquerors." Our 
safety, our progress, and our comfort, alike 
depend upon the prosecution of the contest. 
Whatever therefore, tends to promote the influ- 
ence and dominion of sin, is increasing the power 
of our enemy ; and it is more so than so much 
taken from our power of resistance, because it is 
displeasing to him who alone can " give, us the 
victory. 1 ' For the same reason that it weakens 
and injures ourselves, it diminishes our capability 
of being " fellow helpers to the truth ," and thus 
extending the conquests of righteousness in the 
world. Look then, Christians, to the state of 
your own hearts in this respect. You profess to 
be "temples of the Holy Ghost. " Is there 
impurity lodged there ? Are you afraid of 
" grieving the Spirit ?" Are you maintaining a 
sensibility of mind that makes you suspicious 
and fearful of evil — awake to danger — and alive 
to your real privilege ? Are you not only 
" praying in the spirit," but " walking in the 
spirit ?" In proportion to the intimacy and 
• l 3 



114 



confidence of friendship, even with a fellow crea- 
ture, when founded on holy principles, we ought 
to manifest a careful avoidance- of everything in 
our temper and deportment, which might be 
uncongenial or unlovely. Hence the true delicacy 
of a really honourable communion of kindred 
minds. But are we, my brethren, admitted to 
fellowship with God — to "the communion of 
the Holy Ghost " — and brought into a near and 
most sacred relationship? How anxious we 
should be to " walk worthy of our high voca- 
tion r We may " grieve the Spirit " by neglect, 
by distrust, by disobedience, by a worldly spirit, 
by want of cordial and constant co-operation. 
There may be an idol in the temple; and how 
can we expect his presence ? There may be 
" strange fire" on the altar; and how can we expect 
the descending token of his approbation ? There 
may be an Achan in the camp ; and how can we 
expect to succeed in our spiritual conflicts ? 

The same reasoning applies to our efforts 
for the good of others. Whenever any remark- 
able revival of religion has taken place, it has 
been invariably preceded, accompanied, and 
followed, by the indications of increased spiritu- 
ality of mind among the disciples of Christ. 
There have always been "great searchings of 
heart," as to everything sinful and unholy. A 



115 



low standard of character and feeling has no 
longer sufficed. Every appearance of evil has 
been proscribed and renounced. The mortifi- 
cation of sin has been felt to be essential to life, 
and comfort, and success ; and thus, in the great 
work of conversion, there has. been a holy energy 
that has enabled them to "triumph in Christ, 
and to make known the savour of his name." 

Hear, then, the voice [of warning. " What 
concord hath Christ with Belial ? — what fellow- 
ship hath the temple of God to idols ?" There 
must be a renunciation of evil — of all evil ; the 
right arm must be cut off — the right eye must 
be plucked out — the most favoured and cherished 
inclinations must be mortified and sacrificed; 
iniquities must no longer separate between God 
and us, if we would arise and prosper in our 
holy contest. " I would have you wise unto 
that which is good, and harmless concerning 
evil ; and the God of peace shall bruise Satan 
under your feet shortly !" 

Finally, There must be a strenuous 

PROSECUTION OF THE GREAT WORK, BY ALL THE 
DISCIPLES OF THE REDEEMER. 

I am anxious, my friends, that every member 
of this church, and every believer in this congre- 
gation, should consider his individual duty. 
Some may be more fitted for useful exertion 



116 



than others, by talents, or station, or opportu- 
nities; but it is necessary that all should feel 
the responsibility and the obligation. Let each 
look around in his immediate circle. It is too 
often in reference to the acknowledgment of duty, 
as with the confession of sin : we are prone to 
deceive ourselves by general declarations, and 
to forget what is particular and individual. 
But I beseech you, my dear brethren, to 
make the direct application to yourselves. 
Let each ask — What am I doing in refer- 
ence to this great work of honouring the 
Redeemer, and saving souls from death ? — 
Am I content with a formal profession and a 
merely negative character? What is the con- 
dition of my own family ? Is there no uncon- 
verted relative — no son, or daughter, or friend, 
or servant, — still living without God, without 
prayer, and respecting whom, if they were this 
very day to be called to the bar of the Eternal, 
there would be reason for fearful and heart- 
rending apprehensions ? And can I be satisfied 
without urging them to " flee from the wrath to 
come ?" Can I imagine that I have done all I 
am bound to do, because example and prayer, 
however necessary and, indispensable, may in 
some measure have tended to impress their minds ; 
while I have never directly, and solemnly, and 



1J7 



with all affectionate fidelity, besought them to 
be " reconciled to God ?" And has my example 
been what it ought to have been? Does ex- 
emption from the vices, which even the world 
would condemn, and which a mere regard to 
reputation might secure, constitute a Christian 
example ? While I have called myself a follower 
of Christ, have I walked after the flesh or the 
spirit ? Am I as eager about the pleasures, and 
riches, and honours, of the world, and as much 
absorbed by its spirit, as those who make no pro- 
fession of religion ? Is my citizenship in heaven, 
or am I living as though this earth were to be 
my eternal habitation ? Is not the consciousness 
of this secularity, this seeking after great things, 
this conformity to the temper of worldly men, 
the true cause of my reluctance to press home on 
the attention of those around me the "things 
that belong to their peace ?" Why have I never 
attempted to bring these momentous concerns 
under their notice ? Why have I suffered — such 
an individual — to live months, and perhaps years, 
in my house, or be connected with me in the 
family, or in business ; and have never suggested 
a hint, or introduced a conversation, that might 
have led him to inquiry and reflection ? Why 
have I passed through that street, near my 
habitation, and seen those neighbours, times 



118 

innumerable, and had many opportunities of 
conversing with them; and all the while dis- 
covered no anxiety for their eternal welfare? 
Shall I plead want of time, or more pressing 
engagements, or ask, "Am I my brother^ 
keeper T* Will these apologies stand the test of 
a dying hour, and be admitted at "the judg- 
ment seat of Christ ?" Let us, brethren, humble 
ourselves before God ; let us confess our supine- 
ness, and unbelief, and dishonourable timidity, 
and unworthy fear of man, and criminal forget- 
fulness of the claims of eternity ; and, in the 
strength of divine grace, resolve to live, not to 
ourselves, but to Him who lived and died for us ! 

My respected brethren in the deaconship, 
" suffer the word of exhortation." You have been 
called, by the suffrages of the church, to super- 
intend its secular affairs, and to promote, by your 
co-operation and influence, its spiritual prosperity. 
Of one of the first of those holy men, who were 
set apart at Jerusalem to a similar office, it is 
said, that " he was full of faith and power and 
an apostolic charge assures you that " they that 
have used the office of a deacon well, purchase 
to themselves a good degree, and great boldness 
in the faith which is in Christ ' J esus." (1 Tim. 
iii. 13.) Let these primitive models be ever 
before you. Your activity, and sympathy, and 



119 



beneficence, should be patterns to all the church* 
I thank God on your behalf, for all the evidence 
of your devotedness to the best interests of those 
who have committed to you the office you sustain. 
While I charge it solemnly upon myself, as your 
pastor, to be more watchful and diligent, and 
dependent on the grace that is in Christ Jesus, 
and would earnestly desire an interest in your 
intercession and supplications, I would charge 
it upon you, my beloved friends, and all 
associated with us in holy fellowship, to be in- 
creasingly active in the great cause to which we 
are severally pledged. The prosperity of this 
portion of the family of Christ should ever lie 
near our hearts. It should be our constant and 
united aim to secure by every legitimate effort, 
the advancement of spiritual religion, and the 
extension of the kingdom of Christ. We should 
be prepared to do whatever may increase the 
vigour and effectiveness of our operations ; tend 
to combine the energies of our fellow members, 
to inspire mutual confidence, to excite kindly 
sympathy, and to accomplish the great ends 
of our communion. Let us never forget the 
infinite importance of' the relation we sustain 
to the interests of religion. When all other 
connexions shall have passed away for ever, 
our relation to the ca-se of Christ, and our 



120 



service in that relation, will be remembered and 
acknowledged in the presence of an assembled 
world, and determine our everlasting destiny. 

Dear brethren in Christ Jesus, let me beseech 
you to recollect that no official duty devolving 
on ministers, supersedes your personal obligation.-' 
In every social relation you sustain, there are 
souls to be saved, opportunities to be improved, 
talents to be exerted, influence to be employed, 
and service to be rendered ! Oh ! realise the 
presence of your great Master in heaven : think 
how many immortal beings, while we have been 
assembled together, have passed away from the 
scenes of time ; and as they touched the threshold 
of eternity, and its awful realities opened in dread 
perspective before them, uttered the agonising 
cry — "No man cared for my soul J" Do we 
believe in these realities ? Does faith in the 
divine testimony bring them near to our hearts 
in strong assurance of their unutterable grandeur, 
and shall we be unmoved and unaffected ? God 
forbid ! Let the energies of holy zeal be ex- 
erted ; let immortality and eternity rouse us ; 
let the love of the dying Redeemer constrain us, 
and the authority of the risen Redeemer deter- 
mine us ; let no plans of useful effort be untried, 
no institution for doing good be disregarded. Oh ! 
if religion is to revive and prosper, it must be 



121 



everything with us ! Societies for instructing 
the ignorant, and circulating the Scriptures, and 
evangelising the world, must be more than ever 
dear to our hearts. We must combine prayer 
with diligence, and prove our devotion by our 
activity. The young, the uninstructed, the sick, 
the dying, must never be forgotten. It must be 
our constant aim, our " earnest expectation and 
hope, that Christ may be magnified P 

And are there any in this assembly, who are all 
the while indifferent to the solemn truths which 
have occupied our attention ? Are there any, 
in order to whose salvation we have been 
suggesting plans, and urging inducements, but 
who are themselves uninterested in the matter ? 
We have been reflecting on the means by 
which, under the blessing of God, we may 
effect this object, and are you unconcerned 
hearers ? Are we not anxious that your souls 
should be delivered from everlasting destruction, 
and are you without anxiety for yourselves? 
Alas ! we have reason to be humbled before you, 
as well as before God, that we have not been 
more solicitous in effort, and more fervent in 
prayer, that you, who have been hitherto 
negligent and procrastinating on this momentous 
affair, might be brought to ^repentance, and 
" seek first the kingdom of God P Oh ! let not 

M 



122 



our want of faithfulness, and urgency, and 
perseverance, any longer cause you to delay. 
P]ead not perverted views of your inability to 
believe the Gospel. Your inability is nothing 
but your disinclination, and for that you must 
give an account. There is not an argument we 
have employed to impress upon our own con- 
sciences the duty of aiming at your conversion to 
God, that ought not to convince your minds ; 
there is not an affecting consideration by which 
we have sought to move our own hearts, that 
ought not to impress yours ! There is not, at 
this moment, a motive urging us to activity, 
which ought not to excite your solicitude. Can 
we be right in giving all diligence to effect your 
spiritual good ; and you be justified in in- 
difference? Oh, I beseech you, think of these 
solemn realities. You are dying creatures ; and 
all opportunities for thought and reflection on these 
subjects will soon have passed away for ever! 
You are immortal creatures ; and soon your 
destiny for eternity will be fixed and irrevocable ! 
You are responsible creatures ; and soon your 
final account must be rendered at the tribunal of 
Him who is now the Saviour of men, and invites 
you in his word, and by the ministry of re- 
conciliation, to come to him for life ; but he will 
then be your Judge, and the wrath of "the 



I 



123 



Lamb? the anger of insulted mercy, will be 
found the awful and the aggravated doom of those 
who have " neglected the great salvation !" 
o arm of the l.ord, awake as in ancient 

days ! put on strength ! let thy power 

be manifest and thy grace displayed ! 
Revive thy work in the midst of the years ! 
Revive us again, that thy people may re- 
joice in thee ! Arise, O God, and plead 

THINE OWN CAUSE ! 



THE end. 



G. Duckworth, Printer, 76, Fleet-street . 



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